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pubmed_1114_24891 | Owing to applications in the food and nutraceutical industries, inulinases, fructosyltransferases and sucrases have gained considerable attention in recent times. Twenty-five fungal strains were screened for production of these enzymes on three different media formulated using inulin-rich plant extracts prepared from asparagus root, dahlia tuber and dandelion root extract. Culture filtrates of the fungi were examined for hydrolytic activities. Fungi belonging to genus Aspergillus, A. niger GNCC 2655 (11.3 U/ml), A. awamori MTCC 2879 (8.2 U/ml), A. niger ATCC 26011 (7.9 U/ml) secreted high titers of inulinase followed by Penicillium sp. NFCCI 2768 (2.6 U/ml) and Penicillium citrinum MTCC 1256 (1.1 U/ml). High sucrase activity was noticed in A. niger GNCC 2613 (113 U/ml) and A. awamori MTCC 2879 (107.8 U/ml). Analysis of end products of inulinase action by HPLC revealed that most of the enzymes were exo-inulinases liberating fructose exclusively from inulin. Five fungi, P. citrinum MTCC 1256, Penicillium rugulosum MTCC 3487, Penicillium sp. NFCCI 2768, A. fumigatus GNCC 1351 and A. niger ATCC 26011 however, produced a mixture of endo- and exo-inulinases liberating oligosaccharides (GF3 and GF2) along with fructose. High inulinase/sucrase yielding strains were evaluated for extracellular and intracellular hydrolytic and transfructosylating activities and intracellular enzyme profiles were found to be considerably different in terms of titers and end products. | 10.1007/s10482-014-0373-3 |
pubmed_321_10729 | The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of in ovo injection of ascorbic acid on antioxidant capacity and immune-related gene expression in the newly hatched local Chinese yellow broiler chicks. Fertile Chinese yellow broiler eggs (n = 90) were assigned to three equal groups. The first group was a non-injected control group. The second group was another control group where the eggs were injected with saline in the air sac after 18 days of incubation. The third group was injected with 3 mg/egg AA in the air sac after 18 days of incubation. In ovo injection of 3 mg/egg AA significantly (P < 0.0001) increased plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and significantly reduced plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) at 1 d old. Moreover, in ovo injection of 3 mg/egg AA significantly increased mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and superoxide Dismutase (SOD) in the chick's spleen.Additionally, the mRNA level of interleukin 1 β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the spleen were significantly decreased (P < 0.0001), which indicates an improvement in chick's immunity. In conclusion, our data suggest that in ovo injection of AA at 3 mg/egg enhance antioxidant defense system and immune system for newly hatched chicks. | 10.3382/ps/pex310 |
pubmed_659_5639 | To examine the cultural limitations and implications in the applicability of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-items (DASS-8)-a shortened version of the DASS-21 recently introduced in an Arab sample-this study evaluated its psychometric properties, including measurement invariance, among healthy subjects from the United States, Australia, and Ghana. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed good fit of the DASS-8 relative to a 12-item version (DASS-12). Both the DASS-8 and the DASS-12 were invariant at all levels across genders, employment status, and students vs. non-students. The DASS-8/DASS-12 also expressed invariance at the configural and metric levels across all countries, albeit scalar invariance was not maintained due to misspecification of the factor loadings in the Ghanian sample. Mann-Whitney U test revealed significantly lower levels of mental symptomatology on the DASS measures among Ghanian students than in English-speaking respondents (both students and non-students). The DASS-8 expressed excellent internal consistency (coefficient alpha = 0.89), good convergent validity-noted by high values of item-total correlations (r = 0.87 to 0.88), good predictive validity-indicated by significantly strong correlation with the DASS-21 and its subscales (r = 0.95 to 0.80), and adequate discriminant validity-indicated by heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations <0.85. The DASS-8 correlated with the Internet Gaming Disorder-9, the Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder Self-Report Scale, and the Individualism and Collectivism Scale/Culture Orientation Scale at the same level as the DASS-21 and the DASS-12, denoting its adequate criterion validity. The DASS-8 can be used as a brief alternative to the DASS-21 to screen for mental symptomatology in English-speaking and African cultures. However, the same scores on the DASS-8 and the DASS-12 may not always indicate the same level of symptom severity in subjects from different countries. Further inter-cultural evaluations of the DASS-8 are needed. | 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.799769 |
pubmed_180_7423 | BACKGROUND
For the detection of respiratory pathogens, the sampling strategy may influence the diagnostic yield. Ideally, samples from the lower respiratory tract are collected, but they are difficult to obtain.
OBJECTIVES
In this study, we compared the diagnostic yield in sputum and oropharyngeal samples (OPS) for the detection of respiratory pathogens in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), with the objective to optimize our diagnostic testing algorithm.
METHODS
Matched sputum samples, OPS, blood cultures, serum, and urine samples were taken from patients (>18 years) with CAP and tested for the presence of possible respiratory pathogens using bacterial cultures, PCR for 17 viruses and five bacteria and urinary antigen testing.
RESULTS
When using only conventional methods, that is, blood cultures, sputum culture, urinary antigen tests, a pathogen was detected in 49·6% of patients (n = 57). Adding molecular detection assays increased the yield to 80%. A pathogen was detected in 77 of the 115 patients in OPS or sputum samples by PCR. The sensitivity of the OPS was lower than that of the sputum samples (57% versus 74%). In particular, bacterial pathogens were more often detected in sputum samples. The sensitivity of OPS for the detection of most viruses was higher than in sputum samples (72% versus 66%), except for human rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus.
CONCLUSION
Addition of PCR on both OPS and sputum samples significantly increased the diagnostic yield. For molecular detection of bacterial pathogens, a sputum sample is imperative, but for detection of most viral pathogens, an OPS is sufficient. | 10.1111/irv.12153 |
pubmed_99_5628 | The 5S ribosomal RNA nucleotide sequences of five basidiomycetous fungi, Coleosporium tussilaginis , Gymnosporangium clavariaeforme , Puccinia poarum , Endophyllum sempervivi and Microstroma juglandis were determined. Despite high differentiation in their host spectra the four rust species are highly conserved with respect to their 5S rRna sequences, which fit with the basidiomycete cluster 5 described by Walker and Doolittle (1). The sequences obtained from the first three rust fungi were proven to be identical while the sequence from Endophyllum sempervivi showed two base substitutions compared with the other rust fungi. The Microstroma juglandis 5S rRNA sequence differs from all other basidiomycete 5S rRNA sequences published so far in respect to its secondary structure which shows an atypical 'CCA' loop in helix D, but it reveals typical basidiomycetous signature nucleotides. Therefore Microstroma juglandis represents a cluster of its own within the Basidiomycetes. A dendrogram was constructed based on Kimura's "Neutral Theory of Molecular Evolution". | 10.1093/nar/12.9.3951 |
pubmed_498_5338 | Polycaprolactone-poly (ethylene glycol) block copolymer (PCL-PEG) based nanoparticles were prepared for the intravenous administration of docetaxel (DTX). PCL-PEG-Tyr and PCL-PEG-Ang were synthesized by using tyrosine (Tyr) and angiopep-2 (Ang) as coupling ligands, and dual-modified PCL-PEG-based nanoparticles (PCL-PEG-Tyr/Ang) were prepared. The physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release, in vitro cytotoxicity, in vitro cellular uptake efficiency, in vivo biodistribution and in vivo antitumor efficacy of PCL-PEG-based nanoparticles were investigated. The PCL-PEG-based nanoparticles were spherical with a mean diameter of 100 nm and high encapsulation efficiencies (> 85%). The results of in vitro drug release showed that the PCL-PEG-based nanoparticles loaded with DTX had sustained-release characteristics. For in vitro cytotoxicity tests, the dual-modified PCL-PEG-based nanoparticles (PCL-PEG-Tyr/Ang) demonstrated the minimum IC50 value (2.94 µg/mL) compared with other PCL-PEG-based nanoparticles. In addition, the cellular uptake of coumarin-6 (C6) in HT29 cells was observed and determined in the PCL-PEG-Tyr/Ang nanoparticles group, which was significantly higher than that in the other PCL-PEG-based groups and C6 solution group. The results of in vivo imaging showed that dual-modified PCL-PEG nanoparticles had better tumor targeting than the other PCL-PEG-based nanoparticles. In the HT29 tumor-xenografted nude mice model, DTX-loaded PCL-PEG-Tyr/Ang nanoparticles also had a significantly higher inhibitory efficacy on tumor growth than Taxotere®-treated group. These results indicated that the dual-modified PCL-PEG-based nanoparticles (PCL-PEG-Tyr/Ang) could be a promising anticancer drug delivery system. | 10.1080/10837450.2021.1957930 |
pubmed_624_13364 | A review is given of the most important research carried out in European countries in the time period between the onset of atmospheric nuclear testing in 1954 and the reactor accident at Chernobyl in 1986. Some significant results obtained in these investigations are also presented. | 10.1016/0048-9697(89)90302-1 |
pubmed_891_22553 | In the determination of the bioavailability of drugs administered orally, the drugs' solubility and permeability play a crucial role. For absorption of drug molecules and production of a pharmacological response, solubility is an important parameter that defines the concentration of the drug in systemic circulation. It is a challenging task to improve the oral bioavailability of drugs that have poor water solubility. Most drug molecules are either poorly soluble or insoluble in aqueous environments. Polymer nanocomposites are combinations of two or more different materials that possess unique characteristics and are fused together with sufficient energy in such a manner that the resultant material will have the best properties of both materials. These polymeric materials (biodegradable and other naturally bioactive polymers) are comprised of nanosized particles in a composition of other materials. A systematic search was carried out on Web of Science and SCOPUS using different keywords, and 485 records were found. After the screening and eligibility process, 88 journal articles were found to be eligible, and hence selected to be reviewed and analyzed. Biocompatible and biodegradable materials have emerged in the manufacture of therapeutic and pharmacologic devices, such as impermanent implantation and 3D scaffolds for tissue regeneration and biomedical applications. Substantial effort has been made in the usage of bio-based polymers for potential pharmacologic and biomedical purposes, including targeted deliveries and drug carriers for regulated drug release. These implementations necessitate unique physicochemical and pharmacokinetic, microbiological, metabolic, and degradation characteristics of the materials in order to provide prolific therapeutic treatments. As a result, a broadly diverse spectrum of natural or artificially synthesized polymers capable of enzymatic hydrolysis, hydrolyzing, or enzyme decomposition are being explored for biomedical purposes. This summary examines the contemporary status of biodegradable naturally and synthetically derived polymers for biomedical fields, such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, bioengineering, targeted drug discovery and delivery, implantation, and wound repair and healing. This review presents an insight into a number of the commonly used tissue engineering applications, including drug delivery carrier systems, demonstrated in the recent findings. Due to the inherent remarkable properties of biodegradable and bioactive polymers, such as their antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities, certain materials have gained significant interest in recent years. These systems are also actively being researched to improve therapeutic activity and mitigate adverse consequences. In this article, we also present the main drug delivery systems reported in the literature and the main methods available to impregnate the polymeric scaffolds with drugs, their properties, and their respective benefits for tissue engineering. | 10.3390/polym13162623 |
pubmed_112_7043 | Restenosis after coronary intervention has remained a vexing problem despite the introduction of nearly 24 newer coronary interventional devices. To more clearly evaluate the potential impact of three such new devices on restenosis, coronary lumen diameters were measured before, immediately after and at 6 months after intervention, and restenosis was analyzed using continuous geometric techniques. Lumen diameters were measured before and immediately after intervention in 223 coronary vessels treated with one of three new devices: a single Palmaz-Schatz stent (n = 87), directional atherectomy (n = 125) and laser balloon angioplasty (n = 11); 184 (83%) of the patients underwent follow-up angiography 6 months after treatment. The immediate increase in lumen diameter produced by the intervention (acute gain) and the subsequent reduction in lumen diameter between the time of intervention to 6 month follow-up study (late loss) were examined. For each of the three interventions, the restenosis rate at follow-up study was analyzed using a traditional dichotomous definition (greater than or equal to 50% diameter stenosis), as well as a novel graphic technique. Although the apparent restenosis rates differed significantly among the three interventions (19% for stents, 31% for atherectomy and 50% for laser balloon angioplasty; p = 0.02), late loss among the three interventions was equivalent (average 1 mm; p = 0.91). There were, however, marked differences in the acute gain achieved by the three interventions: 2.6 mm for stents, 2.2 mm for atherectomy and 2 mm for laser balloon angioplasty; p less than 0.001). It was these differences in acute gain rather than late loss that explained the observed differences in restenosis rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | 10.1016/0735-1097(92)90609-q |
pubmed_348_17318 | We examined patterns of mitochondrial polymorphism and divergence in the angiosperm genus Silene and found substantial variation in evolutionary rates among species and among lineages within species. Moreover, we found corresponding differences in the amount of polymorphism within species. We argue that, along with our earlier findings of rate variation among genes, these patterns of rate heterogeneity at multiple phylogenetic scales are most likely explained by differences in underlying mutation rates. In contrast, no rate variation was detected in nuclear or chloroplast loci. We conclude that mutation rate heterogeneity is a characteristic of plant mitochondrial sequence evolution at multiple biological scales and may be a crucial determinant of how much polymorphism is maintained within species. These dramatic patterns of variation raise intriguing questions about the mechanisms driving and maintaining mutation rate heterogeneity in plant mitochondrial genomes. Additionally, they should alter our interpretation of many common phylogenetic and population genetic analyses. | 10.1093/molbev/msm266 |
pubmed_219_9631 | PURPOSE
A novel application of two-dimensional (2D) spatially selective radiofrequency (2DRF) excitation pulses in hyperpolarized 13C imaging is proposed for monitoring the bolus injection with highly efficient sampling of the initially polarized substrate, thus leaving more polarization available for detection of the subsequently generated metabolic products.
METHODS
A 2DRF pulse was designed with a spiral trajectory and conventional clinical gradient performance. To demonstrate the ability of our 2DRF bolus tracking pulse sequence, hyperpolarized [1-(13)ruvate in vivo imaging experiments were performed in normal rats, with a comparison to 1DRF excitation pulses.
RESULTS
Our designed 2DRF pulse was able to rapidly and efficiently monitor the injected bolus dynamics in vivo, with an 8-fold enhanced time resolution in comparison with 1DRF in our experimental settings. When applied at the pyruvate frequency for bolus tracking, our 2DRF pulse demonstrated reduced saturation of the hyperpolarization for the substrate and metabolic products compared to a 1DRF pulse, while being immune to ±0.5 ppm magnetic field inhomogeneity at 3T.
CONCLUSION
2DRF pulses in hyperpolarized 13C imaging can be used to efficiently monitor the bolus injection with reduced hyperpolarization saturation compared to 1DRF pulses. The parameters of our design are based on clinical scanner limits, which allows for rapid translation to human studies. | 10.1002/mrm.25427 |
pubmed_1131_20973 | BACKGROUND
Our study explores perceptions of the caregiver support for mental health service users (MHSUs) in a low- to middle-income country setting.
MATERIALS
We conducted in-depth individual interviews with 16 MHSUs and their treatment partners/caregivers from a treatment partner and text-message intervention study.
DISCUSSION
Treatment partners/caregivers felt obligated to care for MHSUs, but had a limited understanding of mental illness. They found supporting adherence to treatment difficult due to a number of factors including violence, food insecurity and substance abuse.
CONCLUSION
Socioeconomic and environmental factors affecting the lives of MHSUs have impact on caregiver relationships with MHSUs in their care. | 10.1177/0020764016651458 |
pubmed_949_18022 | Impaired conversion of linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has been demonstrated in animal diabetes and inferred from blood fatty acid profiles in human diabetes. This impairment could theoretically lead to defective nerve function because metabolites of GLA are known to be important in nerve membrane structure, nerve blood flow, and nerve conduction. Administration of GLA corrects the impaired nerve function in animal models of diabetes. Two multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trials in humans with diabetic neuropathy have shown significant benefits of GLA as compared with placebo in neurophysiological parameters, thermal thresholds, and clinical sensory evaluations. Further work is needed to define the place of this therapeutic approach and its interactions with other treatment modalities. | 10.2337/diab.46.2.s90 |
pubmed_613_23062 | Femtosecond time-resolved core-level photoemission spectroscopy with a free-electron laser is used to measure the atomic-site specific charge-order dynamics of the charge-density wave in the Mott insulator 1T-TaS2. After strong photoexcitation, a prompt loss of charge order and subsequent fast equilibration dynamics of the electron-lattice system are observed. On the time scale of electron-phonon thermalization, about 1 ps, the system is driven across a phase transition from a long-range charge ordered state to a quasiequilibrium state with domainlike short-range charge and lattice order. The experiment opens the way to study the nonequilibrium dynamics of condensed matter systems with full elemental, chemical, and atomic-site selectivity. | 10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.187401 |
pubmed_664_2236 | BACKGROUND
Patients taking lithium often report of difficulties in concentration, memory, learning, and attention. Laboratory tests of cognitive functions in healthy volunteers on chronic lithium demonstrate that disruptions in memory-learning processes are apparent at the time of memory retrieval.
AIM
This study has attempted to evaluate the impact of lithium ingestion on cognition and some subset of sensory skill, by examining comparatively how lithium or a lithium / saline supplement either harms or helps the brain.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Wistar Rats (male and female) were housed in individual improvised cages. The rats were acclimatized for two weeks after which they were randomly grouped into three, namely, control, lithium-treated, and lithium with saline-treated groups, and treated for four weeks. The lithium-treated group received 40 mM lithium bicarbonate per kg of feed for the first one week, and the dosage was increased to 60mM per kg of feed for the rest of the three weeks. The lithium-saline group received saline solution in addition to lithium. The control group was given normal feed and water liberally for the period of the experiment. The rats were subjected to a cognitive test using the Barnes maze, assessments of negative geotaxis, cliff avoidance, and some neurotransmitters (acetylcholine and glutamate). The data were analyzed by Microsoft excel 2007.
RESULTS
This study shows that lithium ingestion is characterized by a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decline in learning and memory as compared to the control. While the lithium-saline-treated animals exhibit enhanced cognitive ability. The subset of sensory activity was assessed; negative geotaxis and cliff avoidance were grossly compromised, thus lithium carbonate appeared to have definite negative effects on the psychsensory speed.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion lithium should be co-administered with saline to counter the detrimental effects of lithium noticed in this study, which include impairment of tasks on psychomotor speed and cognition. | 10.4103/0975-7406.67016 |
pubmed_579_4021 | BACKGROUND/AIM
Apoptosis-inducing factor, mitochondrion-associated 2 (Aifm2), is a DNA-binding oxoreductase protein that promotes apoptosis. To assess its potential role in erythropoiesis we analyzed the effects of Aifm2 loss-of-function in the murine erythroleukemia line (MEL).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
MEL cells were transfected with siRNA targeting Aifm2 for 24 h and evaluated by cell counting, flow cytometry with annexin V and PI staining and gene expression analysis.
RESULTS
Aifm2 knockdown did not affect the apoptotic status of MEL cells. However, Aifm2 knockdown significantly increased expression of the erythropoietic transcription factor Klf1 (2.9±0.2-fold, p<0.05) and decreased α- and β-globin expression (0.6±0.2-fold, p<0.05 and 0.5±0.2-fold, p<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Aifm2 may function in differentiation of erythroid MEL cells in vitro. | pubmed_579_4021 |
pubmed_201_18456 | Previous research has shown that the effective use of inertial motion (i.e., less or no torque input at the knee joint) plays an important role in achieving a smooth gait of transfemoral prostheses in the swing phase. In our previous research, a method for generating a timed knee trajectory close to able-bodied individuals, which leads to sufficient clearance between the foot and the floor and the knee extension, was proposed using the inertial motion. Limb motions are known to correlate with each other during walking. This phenomenon is called kinematic synergy. In this paper, we measure gaits in level walking of able-bodied individuals with a wide range of walking velocities. We show that this kinematic synergy also exists between the motions of the intact limbs and those of the knee as determined by the inertial motion technique. We then propose a new method for generating the motion of the knee joint using its inertial motion close to the able-bodied individuals in mid-swing based on its kinematic synergy, such that the method can adapt to the changes in the motion velocity. The numerical simulation results show that the proposed method achieves prosthetic walking similar to that of able-bodied individuals with a wide range of constant walking velocities and termination of walking from steady-state walking. Further investigations have found that a kinematic synergy also exists at the start of walking. Overall, our method successfully achieves knee motion generation from the initiation of walking through steady-state walking with different velocities until termination of walking. | 10.1109/TNSRE.2017.2759818 |
pubmed_978_741 | Three-dimensional (3D) medical graphics is becoming popular in clinical use on tomographic scanners. Research work in 3D reconstructive display of computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans on conventional computers has produced many so-called pseudo-3D images. The quality of these images depends on the rendering algorithm, the coarseness of the digitized object, the number of grey levels and the image screen resolution. CT and MRI data are fundamentally voxel based and they produce images that are coarse because of the resolution of the data acquisition system. 3D images produced by the Z-buffer depth shading technique suffer loss of detail when complex objects with fine textural detail need to be displayed. Attempts have been made to improve the display of voxel objects, and existing techniques have shown the improvement possible using these post-processing algorithms. The improved rendering technique works on the Z-buffer image to generate a shaded image using a single light source in any direction. The effectiveness of the technique in generating a shaded image has been shown to be a useful means of presenting 3D information for clinical use. | 10.3109/14639238908994987 |
pubmed_107_2696 | INTRODUCTION
The effect of chronic ischemia on the electrical properties of human cardiac tissue is not well understood.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Membrane potentials were studied using microelectrode techniques in isolated human ventricular tissues obtained from nonischemic (n = 17) or chronically ischemic (n = 7) myocardium. In normal Tyrode's solution, resting potential (Vr) was lower in ischemic (-70.1 +/- 2.12 mV) than in nonischemic muscles (-77.6 +/- 0.93 mV; mean +/- SEM; P < 0.05). In high [K]o (> 10 mM) media, Vr was of similar magnitude in both types of tissue (in 21.6 mM [K]o, Vr was -53.1 +/- 2.24 mV in nonischemic and -49.6 +/- 2.03 mV in ischemic preparations; n = 7 each; P > 0.05). Lowering [K]o caused persistent hyperpolarization in nonischemic muscles, but caused depolarization in chronically ischemic preparations (in 2.7 mM [K]o, Vr was -84.9 +/- 2.74 mV and -61.7 +/- 7.72 mV, respectively; n = 7; P < 0.05). Pinacidil (100 microM) normalized the response of chronically ischemic preparations to [K]o. Action potentials (APs) from nonischemic tissues varied in shape and could show aberrations. Epinephrine (1.5 microM) and 4-aminopyridine (3 mM) increased the AP duration, while butanedione monoxime (20 mM) and tetrodotoxin (1 microM) shortened it. In chronically ischemic muscles, the AP was characterized by the absence of a plateau and the presence of a slow phase of final repolarization.
CONCLUSION
The differential effect of low [K]o on the resting membrane potential of nonischemic and chronically ischemic tissues suggests a change in the properties or the regulation of background K+ channels during chronic ischemia. | 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1994.tb01189.x |
pubmed_1102_23264 | Innovative techniques, such as environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding, are now promoting broader biodiversity monitoring at unprecedented scales, because of the reduction in time, presumably lower cost, and methodological efficiency. Our goal was to assess the efficiency of established inventory techniques (live-trapping grids, pitfall traps, camera trapping, mist netting) as well as eDNA for detecting Amazonian mammals. For terrestrial small mammals, we used 32 live-trapping grids based on Sherman and Tomahawk traps (total effort of 10,368 trap-nights); in addition to 16 pitfall traps (1,408 trap-nights). For bats, we used mist nets at 8 sites (4,800 net hours). For medium and large mammals, we used 72 camera trap stations (5,208 camera-days). We identified vertebrate and mammal taxa based on eDNA analysis (12S region, with V05 and Mamm01 markers) from water samples, including a total of 11 3-km transects for stagnant water sampling and seven small streams for running water sampling. A total of 106 mammal species were recorded. Building on sample-based rarefaction and extrapolation curves, both trapping grids and pitfall were successful, recording 91.16% and 82.1% of the expected species for these techniques (~22 and ~9 species), and 16.98% and 6.60% of the total recorded mammal species, respectively. Mist nets recorded 83.2% of the expected bat species (~48), and 34.91% of the total recorded species. Camera trapping recorded 99.2% of the predicted large- and medium-sized species (~31), and 33.02% of the total recorded species. eDNA recorded 75.4% of the expected mammal species for this technique (~68), and 47.0% of the total recorded species. eDNA resulted in a useful tool that saves on effort and reduces sampling costs. This study is among the first to show the large potential of eDNA metabarcoding for assessing Amazonian mammal communities, providing, in combination with conventional techniques, a rapid overview of mammal diversity with broad applications to monitoring, management and conservation. By including appropriate genetic markers and updated reference databases, eDNA metabarcoding method can be extended to the whole vertebrate community. | 10.1002/eap.2335 |
pubmed_196_24835 | Primarily due to recent advances of detection techniques, microchimerism (the proportion of minor variant population is below 1%) has recently gained increasing attention in the field of transplantation. Availability of polymorphic markers, such as deletion insertion or single nucleotide polymorphisms along with a vast array of high sensitivity detection techniques, allow the accurate detection of small quantities of donor- or recipient-related materials. This diagnostic information can improve monitoring of allograft injuries in solid organ transplantations (SOT) as well as facilitate early detection of relapse in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). In the present review, genetic marker and detection platform options applicable for microchimerism detection are discussed. Furthermore, current results of relevant clinical studies in the context of microchimerism and SOT or allo-HSCT respectively are also summarized. | 10.3390/ijms20184450 |
pubmed_496_13776 | We illustrate a scheme that exploits the theory of symmetry-breaking bifurcations for generating a spatio-temporal pattern in which one of two interconnected arrays, each with N Van der Pol oscillators, oscillates at N times the frequency of the other. A bifurcation analysis demonstrates that this type of frequency generation cannot be realized without the mutual interaction between the two arrays. It is also demonstrated that the mechanism for generating these frequencies between the two arrays is different from that of a master-slave interaction, a synchronization effect, or that of subharmonic and ultraharmonic solutions generated by forced systems. This kind of frequency generation scheme can find applications in the developed field of nonlinear antenna and radar systems. | 10.1103/PhysRevE.72.026211 |
pubmed_678_25271 | BACKGROUND
Mortality following laparoscopic fundoplication has been found to be negligible. However, some patients require secondary fundoplication, and the risk of mortality following such procedure is scarcely studied.
METHODS
This nationwide Swedish population-based cohort study included all patients undergoing secondary fundoplication following primary laparoscopic fundoplication in 1997 to 2013, regardless of indication. Primary outcome was mortality within 90 days of surgery, and secondary outcome was postoperative length of hospital stay.
RESULTS
A total of 9,765 patients underwent primary laparoscopic fundoplication, 540 (5.5%) patients underwent secondary fundoplication. About 382 (70.7%) were conducted laparoscopically, and 158 (29.3%) were conducted with an open technique. No deaths occurred within 90 days of the secondary fundoplication. Median length of stay was longer following secondary fundoplication (4.8 days, interquartile range 1.0 to 5.0 days), compared to primary laparoscopic fundoplication (2.5 days, interquartile range 1.0 to 3.0 days).
CONCLUSIONS
This population-based cohort study indicates that secondary fundoplication following primary laparoscopic fundoplication is a safe procedure. The longer hospital stay following secondary fundoplication compared to primary laparoscopic fundoplication is likely explained by the higher rate of open surgical approach. | 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.09.034 |
pubmed_568_5952 | The purpose of this review is to raise the index of suspicion for paradoxical embolism among generalists. The review is based solely on anecdotal reports compiled from EMBASE, MEDLINE, Googlescholar and Pubmed. Search terms were 'paradoxical embolism', 'pulmonary embolism' and 'pulmonary arteriovenous malformations'. What emerged was that right-to-left paradoxical embolism could occur with or without concurrent pulmonary embolism, and also with and without proof of the presence of an 'embolus-in-transit'. Potential sites of single or multiple systemic involvement included the central nervous system, the coronary circulation, renal arterial circulation, splenic circulation, the mesenteric circulation and the limbs. In many cases, the deep veins of the lower limbs were the source of thromboembolism. In other cases, thrombi originated from an atrial septal aneurysm, from a central venous line, from a haemodialysis-related arterio-venous shunt, from a popliteal vein aneurysm, internal jugular vein, superior vena cava, from a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation, from tricuspid valve endocarditis (with and without pulmonary embolism) and from the right atrium, respectively. Stroke was by far the commonest systemic manifestation of paradoxical embolism. Some strokes were attributable to pulmonary arteriovenous malformations with or without coexistence of intracardiac shunts. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for paradoxical embolism because of its time-sensitive dimension when it occurs in the context of involvement of the intracranial circulation, coronary circulation, mesenteric circulation, and peripheral limb circulation. | 10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-139691 |
pubmed_595_15656 | The first four reviews in this series (Steinberg, D. 2004. J. Lipid Res. 45: 1583-1593; Steinberg, D. 2005. J. Lipid Res. 46: 179-190; Steinberg, D. 2005. J. Lipid Res. 46: 2037-2051; Steinberg, D. 2006. J. Lipid Res. 47: 1-14) traced the gradual accumulation of evidence, evidence of several different kinds, supporting the lipid hypothesis. They tracked the history from Anitschkow's 1913 classic work on the cholesterol-fed rabbit model to the breakthrough 1984 Coronary Primary Prevention Trial, the first large, randomized, double-blind primary intervention trial showing that decreasing blood cholesterol (using cholestyramine) significantly reduces coronary heart disease events. At that point, for the first time, decreasing blood cholesterol levels became an official national public health goal. Still, only a small fraction of patients at high risk were getting appropriate cholesterol-lowering treatment, and a number of important clinical questions remained unanswered. This final review in the series traces the early studies that led to the discovery of the statins and briefly reviews the now familiar large-scale clinical trials demonstrating their safety and their remarkable effectiveness in reducing coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality. | 10.1194/jlr.R600009-JLR200 |
pubmed_670_7587 | In a double blind crossover trial, acute effects of 8 mg intravenous oxyfedrine were compared with those of placebo in 18 patients with stable effort angina assessed by treadmill exercise testing. In the resting state, oxyfedrine caused an increase in heart rate (84 +/- 23 to 103 +/- 19 bpm, p less than 0.01), systolic blood pressure (123 +/- 16 to 133 +/- 20 mmHg, p less than 0.01) and double product (11 x 10(3) +/- 2 x 10(3) to 13.7 x 10(3) +/- 3.1 x 10(3), p less than 0.01) as compared to placebo. However, these parameters were not significantly different at the end of first or second stage of the treadmill test (p = NS). Time to one mm ST segment depression was increased with oxyfedrine as compared to placebo (1.5 +/- 1.5 to 1.9 +/- 1.5 minutes, p less than 0.05). Oxyfedrine did not increase the total duration of exercise (4.1 +/- 1.0 to 4.7 +/- 2.2 minutes, p = NS) or time to ischaemic symptoms (2.7 +/- 1.3 to 2.9 +/- 1.9 minutes, p = NS). The total work done was significantly more on oxyfedrine 312 +/- 189 joules/kg to 370 +/- 209 joules/kg, p less than 0.01) as also the double product achieved (20.6 x 10(3) +/- 6.1 x 10(3) to 22.5 x 10(3) +/- 6.4 x 10(3), p less than 0.01). It is concluded that intravenous oxyfedrine improves exercise capacity in patients with stable effort angina presumably by reducing myocardial ischaemia. | pubmed_670_7587 |
pubmed_195_14818 | An aim of this study was to assess clinical efficacy and tolerability of tagista in the symptomatic treatment of vestibular vertigo and Ménière syndrome. Thirty-two patients, 16 women and 16 men, aged from 25 to 67 years, were examined. Vertigo was caused by chronic brain ischemia in 17 cases and by the disturbance of blood circulation in the vertebral-basilar system in 14 patients with osteochondrosis of cervical spine. One patient was diagnosed with Ménière syndrome. Tagista was used in dose 24 mg twice a day during 4 weeks in the combination with standard treatment, exercise therapy and stability training. The results revealed a statistically significant effect of the drug on main symptoms (frequency, duration and intensity of vertigo attacks etc) and its good tolerability that allowed to recommend the drug in neurological practice. | pubmed_195_14818 |
pubmed_1134_11478 | Digital holographic microscopy enables a quantitative phase contrast metrology that is suitable for the investigation of reflective surfaces as well as for the marker-free analysis of living cells. The digital holographic feature of (subsequent) numerical focus adjustment makes possible applications for multifocus imaging. An overview of digital holographic microscopy methods is described. Applications of digital holographic microscopy are demonstrated by results obtained from livings cells and engineered surfaces. | 10.1364/ao.47.000a52 |
pubmed_471_20403 | BACKGROUND
It is generally believed that Thai people do not suffer from hypovitaminosis D because there is abundant sunlight throughout the year, and that taking vitamin D supplements could result in abnormally high levels of vitamin D. This is a Thai FDA-driven study to investigate this risk over a period of 26 weeks of taking alendronate sodium/vitamin D3 combination tablets.
METHODS
Osteoporosis patients in Thailand were recruited to a multicenter, open-label, 6-month trial of oral alendronate sodium 70 mg/vitamin D3 5600 IU. Patients received study medication once a week for 26 weeks. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and Beta-CrossLaps (β-CTx) levels were measured at baseline and 26 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with 25(OH)D ≥ 50 ng/mL at week 26; it was hypothesized that 26 weeks' treatment would not result in 25(OH)D serum levels ≥ 50 ng/mL in > 7% of osteoporosis patients.
RESULTS
One hundred ninety-eight patients were recruited. At baseline, 67.2% of the patients had 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL; this declined to 34.4% by week 26. The mean 25(OH)D level improved from 27.8 ng/mL at baseline to 33.6 ng/mL at week 26. Five patients (2.69% of the full analysis set) had 25(OH)D levels ≥ 50 ng/mL at 26 weeks. The highest 25(OH)D level, 64.3 ng/mL, was observed in a patient whose baseline level was 102.2 ng/mL. The majority (62.9%) of the patients had optimal 25(OH)D levels (30-50 ng/mL). β-CTx levels were reduced by 57.7% after 26 weeks' treatment. No clinically significant cases of hypercalcemia which could be associated with hypervitaminosis D were identified during physical examination, in vital signs, or in laboratory results. Overall, 73 patients (36.9%) reported at least one adverse event (AE), with 13 (6.6%) reporting drug-related AEs. Four patients discontinued due to AEs, two of which were drug-related. Serious AEs were reported for four patients, of which one was considered drug-related.
CONCLUSIONS
Oral alendronate sodium 70 mg plus vitamin D3 5600 IU once weekly had an acceptable safety profile in this study, and increased serum 25(OH)D and reduced β-CTx levels in osteoporosis patients. This treatment improved 25(OH)D levels, without causing abnormally high levels, after 26 weeks' treatment.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinical Trials.gov NCT01437111 , Registered September 19, 2011. | 10.1186/s12891-018-2309-y |
pubmed_470_10500 | A novel ungated spiral phase-contrast (USPC) imaging method was developed for rapid measurement of time-averaged blood-flow rates in the presence of pulsatility. The spatial point-spread function was analyzed to provide an intuitive understanding of how spiral trajectories, which sample the k-space origin at every excitation, can mitigate the effects of pulsatility. Pulsatile flow phantom experiments were performed to validate the accuracy and repeatability of the USPC method. The measurement of flow in the renal and femoral arteries of normal volunteers were also performed. The phantom results (error < or = +9%, SD(phantom) < or = 2%, time-averaged pulsatile-flow rates = 3-15 ml/s) and in vivo results (SD(renal) < or = 8%, SD(femoral) < or = 14%) demonstrate the potential of the USPC method for rapidly and repeatedly measuring accurate time-averaged blood flow even in relatively small arteries and in the presence of strong pulsatility. | 10.1002/mrm.10369 |
pubmed_937_3144 | Sodium bicarbonate is often administered to horses before racing in an attempt to delay fatigue and improve performance. We examined the effect of acid-base status on serum ionised calcium concentration (iCa) during high intensity exercise in 8 Standardbred mares. In a randomised, blinded, cross-over study, mares were administered each of 3 treatments, NaCl (0.7 g/kg bwt), NaHCO3 (1 g/kg bwt) in 3 l water, or 3 l of water only, 4 h before performing a standardised exercise test to fatigue on a treadmill. Mixed venous blood samples were collected as the horses ran for 5 min at 3 m/s, to fatigue at a predetermined speed (approximately 113% VO2max) and for 5 min at 3 m/s. There was no effect of treatment on time to fatigue (P = 0.744). NaHCO3 attenuated (P<0.05) the exercise-induced decrease in venous pH (mean +/- s.e. 6.97, 6.95 and 7.06 +/- 0.02 at end of sprint for water, NaCl and NaHCO3, respectively). Both serum total calcium concentration (tCa) and iCa increased (P<0.05) with running. NaHCO3 decreased iCa (P<0.05) compared to water; iCa of 1.58 and 1.44 +/- 0.04 mmol/l before exercise and 1.69 and 1.49 +/- 0.05 end sprint, for water and NaHCO3 treatments, respectively. These results demonstrate an effect of NaHCO3 on iCa during exercise. Further study is necessary to determine the effect of alterations in iCa on exercise performance. | 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2002.tb05476.x |
pubmed_726_11957 | BACKGROUND
In patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) needing early coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, it is unknown whether primary percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PTCA)-without stent implantation-allows safe transition to subsequent CABG.
METHODS
We examined acute STEMI patients enrolled in the Stent-PAMI and CADILLAC trials to study the differences in the early clinical events between those treated with primary PTCA (n = 1494) or primary stenting (n = 1488).
RESULTS
Baseline clinical and pre- and post-procedural angiographic features including post-intervention TIMI 3 flow rates were similar in the 2 groups with the exception of higher median infarct-artery residual stenosis in the PTCA group (26% [IQR 19%-34%] vs. 18% [IQR 11-25%], P < .001]. Provisional stenting was required in 16% of patients in PTCA group, while stents could not be implanted in 2% of the stent group. Sixty-percent of PTCA patients had stent-like balloon result. The rate of 30-day ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization was higher in the PTCA group (4.3% vs. 2.0%, P < .001 [4.6% vs 2.3%, P < .001 among patients with multivessel disease and 3.4% vs. 2.0%, P = .044 in patients with stent-like balloon results]) while 30-day major adverse cardiac events (6.2% vs 4.9%), death (1.8% versus 2.8%), and reinfarction (0.9% vs. 0.7%) were similar in the 2 groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared with primary stenting, primary PTCA of infarct artery in STEMI patients was associated with significant increase in ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (ITVR) rate, yet with no increased risk of major adverse cardiac events, reinfarction or death. Thus, provided close surveillance is maintained and prompt treatment initiated for early ischemic events, PTCA (particularly in those with stent-like balloon result) may be a reasonable and safe option in STEMI patients needing early CABG. | pubmed_726_11957 |
pubmed_114_5483 | Reversion analysis of flagellar-motility mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii yields an unusual class of intergenic suppressor mutations that restore flagellar activity to paralyzed radial-spoke or central-pair mutants without altering the structural or molecular defects associated with the original mutations. Four suppressors representing independent genetic loci were studied in detail. Two of the mutations, suppf1 and suppf2, restore flagellar motility to either radial-spoke or central-pair mutants of different genes. The mutants suppf3 and suppf 4 suppress flagellar paralysis associated only with mutants defective for the radial spokes. Analyses of the axonemal polypeptides of suppf1, suppf3 and suppf4 mutants indicate that the mutations restore flagellar activity to paralyzed radial-spoke or central-pair mutants by altering other components of the flagellar axoneme. suppf1 shows an altered electrophoretic migration for a 325,000 molecular weight polypeptide known to be a subunit of an outer-arm dynein. suppf3 and suppf4 are missing different axonemal polypeptides with molecular weights of 60,000 (in the case of suppf3), and 40,000 and 29,000 (in the case of suppf4). Genetic evidence has been obtained indicating that the polypeptides affected in suppf3 and suppf4 are components of a newly identified functional and/or structural compartment of the flagellar axoneme. The suppressor mutations described here reveal the operation of a control mechanism that inhibits the operations of flagellar movements in the presence of radial-spoke or central-pair defects. Suppressor mutations release the inhibition. The molecular defects of suppf1, suppf3 and suppf4 provide evidence that the inhibitory mechanism can be interrupted at two different levels of axonemal function. | 10.1016/0092-8674(82)90381-6 |
pubmed_844_2012 | OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that standardizing the process of weaning from mechanical ventilation would decrease ventilation times and length of stay in a surgical intensive care unit.
DESIGN
Comparison of historic ventilation times with physician-directed weaning with those obtained with protocol-guided weaning by respiratory therapists.
SETTING
Urban, teaching surgical intensive care unit with open admission policy and no dominant diagnosis related group.
RESULTS
From January 1, 1995, through December 31, 1995, 378 patients who underwent physician-directed weaning from a ventilator had 64488 hours of ventilation, compared with 57796 ventilation hours in 515 patients with protocol-guided weaning (April 1, 1996, through May 31, 1997). The mean hours of ventilation decreased by 58 hours, a 46% decrease (P<.001). The length of hospital stay decreased by 1.77 days (29% change), while the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score remained at 50 to 51. The number of reintubations did not change. The marginal cost savings was $603580.
CONCLUSION
Protocol-guided weaning from mechanical ventilation leads to more rapid extubation than physician-directed weaning and has great potential for cost savings. | 10.1001/archsurg.133.5.483 |
pubmed_757_25590 | Sleep apnea syndrome is characterized by recurrent episodes of oxygen desaturation and reoxygenation (intermittent hypoxia [IH]), and it is a known risk factor for hypertension. The upregulation of the renin-angiotensin system has been reported in IH, and the correlation between renin and CD38 has been noted. We exposed human HEK293 and mouse As4.1 renal cells to experimental IH or normoxia for 24 h and then measured the mRNA levels using a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA levels of Renin (Ren) and Cd38 were significantly increased by IH, indicating that they could be involved in the CD38-cyclic ADP-ribose signaling pathway. We next investigated the promotor activities of both genes, which were not increased by IH. Yet, a target mRNA search of the microRNA (miRNA) revealed both mRNAs to have a potential target sequence for miR-203. The miR-203 level of the IH-treated cells was significantly decreased when compared with the normoxia-treated cells. The IH-induced upregulation of the genes was abolished by the introduction of the miR-203 mimic, but not the miR-203 mimic NC negative control. These results indicate that IH stress downregulates the miR-203 in renin-producing cells, thereby resulting in increased mRNA levels of Ren and Cd38, which leads to hypertension. | 10.3390/ijms221810127 |
pubmed_960_19014 | PURPOSE
To compare the results between percutaneous bone grafting and open bone grafting of tibial shaft fractures.
METHOD
Thirty tibial fractured shafts with a delayed union or a high-energy tibial fractures which required early prophylaxis bone grafts were randomized to either percutaneous bone graft (n= 15) or open bone graft (n=15). One patient from the open bone graft group was lost to follow-up. Characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups.
RESULTS
The mean length of follow-up was 2.5 years. Percutaneous bone graft technique was associated with significantly less blood loss (p<0.01) and shorter operative time (p<0.01). One patient in the percutaneous group had posterior tibial nerve palsy postoperatively, which recovered completely after 6 weeks. There were no differences in rate of union, healing time of the successful cases, postoperative pain and hospital stay.
CONCLUSION
The percutaneous technique has effective results similar to the open technique in promoting union of tibial fractures. It should be considered as a useful alternative to the open bone graft technique. | pubmed_960_19014 |
pubmed_632_12810 | In Hong Kong, cattle were traditionally raised by farmers as draft animals to plough rice fields. Due to urbanization in the 20th century, they were gradually abandoned and became wild cattle straying in suburban Hong Kong. Recently, these cattle were observed to have become omnivorous by eating leftover barbeque food waste in country parks. Microbiome analysis was performed on fecal samples of the omnivorous cattle using deep sequencing and the resulting microbiome was compared with that of traditional herbivorous cattle in Southern China. A more diverse gut microbiome was observed in the omnivorous cattle, suggesting that microbiota diversity increases as diet variation increases. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Anaeroplasma, Anaerovorax, Bacillus, Coprobacillus and Solibacillus significantly increased and those of Anaerofustis, Butyricimonas, Campylobacter, Coprococcus, Dehalobacterium, Phascolarctobacterium, rc4.4, RFN20, Succinivibrio and Turicibacter significantly decreased in the omnivorous group. The increase in microbial community levels of Bacillus and Anaerovorax likely attributes to the inclusion of meat in the diet; while the decrease in relative abundance of Coprococcus, Butyricimonas, Succinivibrio, Campylobacter and Phascolarctobacterium may reflect the reduction in grass intake. Furthermore, an increased consumption of resistant starch likely resulted in the increase in abundance of Anaeroplasma. In conclusion, a significant change in the gut microbial community was observed in the omnivorous cattle, suggesting that diet may be one of the factors that may signal an adaptation response by the cattle to maintain feed efficiency as a consequence of the change in environment. | 10.1016/j.csbj.2018.02.004 |
pubmed_904_21589 | Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a hereditary primary myocardial disease that is most commonly due to mutations within genes encoding sarcomeric contractile proteins and is characterised by left ventricular hypertrophy in the absence of a cardiac or systemic cause. Although the overall prognosis is relatively good with an annual mortality rate <1 %, the propensity to potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias is the most feared complication. The identification of patients at risk of arrhythmogenic sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an essential component in disease management. Aborted SCD and malignant ventricular arrhythmias are the most powerful risk factors for SCD and ICD implantation is recommended in such circumstances. The selection of patients who may benefit from ICD therapy for primary prevention purposes is more challenging. The heterogeneous nature of the disease and the variation in trigger factors provides an adequate explanation for the low predictive accuracy of most conventional risk factors in isolation. A new risk model for risk stratification proposed by the European Society of Cardiology HCM outcome group shows promise but requires validation in different cohorts. The ICD is the only effective therapy in preventing SCD for the disease with a relatively low adverse event rate, but most deaths occur in relatively young patients. However, it is also difficult to ignore the complications with the ICD, therefore, the strive to perfect risk stratification in HCM should continue to ensure that only the most high-risk patients receive an ICD. | 10.15420/ecr.2015.10.01.31 |
pubmed_1096_5342 | Neuropathic pain (NP) is characterized by persistent pain, tactile allodynia, or hyperalgesia. Peripheral nerve injury contributes to rapid progress of inflammatory response and simultaneously generates neuropathic pain. Hydrogen (H2) has anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and anti-oxidative stress effects. Therefore, we hypothesized that H2 treatment could alleviate allodynic and hyperalgesic behaviors and the release of inflammatory factors in rats with neuropathic pain. Peripheral neuropathic pain was established by chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve in rats. H2 was given twice through intraperitoneal injection at a daily dose of 10 mL/kg during days 1-7 after the operation. Hyperalgesia and allodynia were tested, pro-inflammatory factors of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the spinal cord were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) during days 1-14 after the operation, and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression and activities were measured at day 14 after sciatic nerve injury in rats. After Sn (IV) protoporphyrin IX dihydrochloride (SnPP)-IX, hemin, and carbon monoxide-releasing molecule (CORM)-2 had been given for chronic constriction injury (CCI) in rats, the above indicators were assessed. We found that H2 clearly inhibited hyperalgesia and allodynia in neuropathic pain and also attenuated the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and high-mobility group box (HMGB) 1. H2 improved HO-1 mRNA and protein expression and activities in the process of pain. SnPP-IX reversed the inhibitory effect of H2 on hyperalgesia and allodynia and on pro-inflammatory cytokines in DRG and the spinal cord. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of H2 were involved in the activation of HO-1/CO signaling during neuropathic pain in rats. | 10.1007/s10753-015-0161-x |
pubmed_873_4838 | The challenging synthesis of an α-cyclodextrin (CD)-based macromolecular rotaxane with definite structure was fulfilled using a size-complementary method. A new peracetylated (PAc) α-CD-based size-complementary [3]rotaxane was prepared and its thermal dissociation kinetics studied. The de-slippage mechanism was found to be different from that of the native α-CD-based system. PAcα-CD-based size-complementary [3]rotaxanes were employed as initiators for a ring-opening polymerization of ϵ-caprolactone to obtain the macromolecular [3]rotaxanes. Detailed investigation of component dissociation showed the highly movable character of the wheel on the polymer main chain. A general method for controlling the movement of wheels in rotaxane frameworks, even in polymer systems, was established. This will enable the development of new supramolecular architectures and molecular machines. | 10.1002/anie.201807261 |
pubmed_764_16364 | Ionized calcium and total content of all Ca fractions were measured in mixed saliva and blood serum of children aged 4 to 12 with solitary carious lesions or multiple caries. The level of ionized Ca was much higher in multiple caries than in individual lesions, and the content of bound Ca (protein-bound and in complex with other compounds) was decreased. The authors propose that recharging of salivary proteins caused by acidification of the saliva and dental deposit due to production of lactate and other organic acids is mainly responsible for redistribution of Ca fractions in mixed saliva. Ca release which results from demineralization of teeth, changed rate of salivary secretion and permeability of the blood-saliva barrier, and other factors may also contribute to redistribution of Ca fractions in the saliva, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of caries. | pubmed_764_16364 |
pubmed_705_5901 | The 6.3 kb Clostridium perfringens transposon Tn4451 encodes a 50 kDa protein, TnpZ, which has amino acid sequence similarity to a group of plasmid mobilization and recombination proteins that comprise the Mob/Pre family. Members of this family interact with an upstream palindromic sequence called an RSA site, and an RSA-like sequence has been identified upstream of the tnpZ gene. In Escherichia coli, in the presence of a chromosomally integrated derivative of the broad-host-range IncP plasmid, RP4, TnpZ was able to promote plasmid mobilization in cis and was able to function in trans to enable the mobilization of a co-resident plasmid carrying an RSA site. It was also able to mediate the conjugative transfer of plasmids from E. coli to C. perfringens. Site-directed mutagenesis of two bases within the RSA site resulted in a significant reduction in mobilization frequency, demonstrating that the RSA site is required for efficient plasmid mobilization. TnpZ is the only Mob/Pre protein known to be associated with a transposable genetic element, and Tn4451 is the first mobilizable but non-self-transmissible transposon to be identified from a gram-positive bacterium. | 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1998.00712.x |
pubmed_972_14038 | BACKGROUND
The intrarenal renin-angiotensin system contributes to hypertension by regulating sodium and water reabsorption throughout the nephron. Sex differences in the intrarenal components of the renin-angiotensin system have been involved in the greater incidence of high blood pressure and progression to kidney damage in males than females.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated whether there is a sex difference in the intrarenal gene expression and urinary excretion of angiotensinogen (AGT) during angiotensin II (Ang II)-dependent hypertension and high-salt (HS) diet.
METHODS
Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups for each sex: Normal-salt control, HS diet (8% NaCl), Ang II-infused (80 ng/min), Ang II-infused plus HS diet, and Ang II-infused plus HS diet and treatment with the Ang II receptor blocker, candesartan (25 mg/L in the drinking water). Rats were evaluated for systolic blood pressure (SBP), kidney AGT mRNA expression, urinary AGT excretion, and proteinuria at different time points during a 14-day protocol.
RESULTS
Both male and female rats exhibited similar increases in urinary AGT, with increases in SBP during chronic Ang II infusion. HS diet greatly exacerbated the urinary AGT excretion in Ang II-infused rats; males had a 9-fold increase over Ang II alone and females had a 2.5-fold increase. Male rats displayed salt-sensitive SBP increases during Ang II infusion and HS diet, and female rats did not. In the kidney cortex, males displayed greater AGT gene expression than females during all treatments. During Ang II infusion, both sexes exhibited increases in AGT gene message compared with same-sex controls. In addition, HS diet combined with Ang II infusion exacerbated the proteinuria in both sexes. Concomitant Ang II receptor blocker treatment during Ang II infusion and HS diet decreased SBP and urinary AGT similarly in both sexes; however, the decrease in proteinuria was greater in the females.
CONCLUSION
During Ang II-dependent hypertension and HS diet, higher intrarenal renin-angiotensin system activation in males, as reflected by higher AGT gene expression and urinary excretion, indicates a mechanism for greater progression of high blood pressure and might explain the sex disparity in development of salt-sensitive hypertension. | 10.1016/j.genm.2012.06.001 |
pubmed_827_18253 | BACKGROUND
Duplex ultrasonography (DS) is a frequently used noninvasive method for assessing carotid artery stenosis. The level of agreement between panoramic radiographs (PMX) findings of radiopacities in the area of C3-C4 and DS results has not been established.
AIMS
(1) to examine the level of agreement between DS results and PMX signs of carotid calcification and (2) to evaluate the association between periodontitis and DS results.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Eighty-three subjects who had received a DS assessment at the University of Washington Medical Center within 36 months volunteered for a periodontal examination, including assessments of probing pocket depth (PPD), attachment level (PAL), evidence of bleeding on probing and bone loss from PMX. Two examiners independently analyzed the radiographs for evidence of carotid calcifications. The distance between the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) to bone level (BL) CEJ-BL was used to assess alveolar bone loss as a criteria for periodontitis.
RESULTS
Twenty-nine subjects (34.9%) presented with positive DS readings. The Mantel-Haentszel common odds ratio estimate for a positive DS score and periodontitis (> 30% of teeth with distance CEJ-BL > or = 4.0 mm) was 38.4 (95% CI: 10.6-138.7, p < 0.0001). For nonsmokers only (n = 72) the odds ratio was 43.0 (95% CI: 16.7-1178.0, p < 0.0001). Evidence of bleeding on probing was 16% of sites both in the DS-positive and -negative subjects. Subjects with a positive DS result had significantly more teeth with clinical evidence of attachment loss > or = 5.0 mm (p < 0.001). The odds ratio of having periodontitis (CEJ-BL > or = 4.0 mm at > or = 30% of the teeth) and medical records confirmed diagnosis of either a stroke or an infarct or both was 7.8 (95% CI: 2.6-23.8, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Subjects with positive DS readings of the carotid arteries due to calcified arterial plaque are accurately detected by means of conventional PMX. The likelihood of being DS positive and having radiographic evidence of periodontitis is high. A dose-response relationship between the extent of carotid calcification and severity of periodontitis was demonstrated, supporting the hypothesis of an association between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases. | 10.1046/j.0303-6979.2003.00427.x |
pubmed_588_17312 | Recent progress in discerning the molecular events that accompany carcinogenesis has led to development of new cancer therapies directly targeted against the molecular changes of neoplasia. Molecular-targeted therapeutics have shown significant improvements in response rates and decreased toxicity as compared to conventional cytotoxic therapies which lack specificity for tumor cells. In order to fully explore the potential of molecular-targeted therapy, a new set of tools is required to dynamically and quantitatively image and monitor the heterogeneous molecular profiles of tumors in vivo. Currently, molecular markers can only be visualized in vitro using complex immunohistochemical staining protocols. In this chapter, we discuss emerging optical tools to image in vivo a molecular profile of risk-based hallmarks of cancer for selecting and monitoring therapy. We present the combination of optically active, targeted nanoparticles for molecular imaging with advances in minimally invasive optical imaging systems, which can be used to dynamically image both a molecular and phenotypic profile of risk and to monitor changes in this profile during therapy. | 10.1016/S0065-230X(06)96011-4 |
pubmed_159_9876 | BACKGROUND
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) use is increasing in patients with longer life expectancy, yet robust data on the durability of transcatheter heart valves (THVs) are limited. Redo-TAVR may play a key strategy in treating patients in whom THVs fail.
OBJECTIVES
The authors sought to examine outcomes following redo-TAVR.
METHODS
The Redo-TAVR registry collected data on consecutive patients who underwent redo-TAVR at 37 centers. Patients were classified as probable TAVR failure or probable THV failure if they presented within or beyond 1 year of their index TAVR, respectively.
RESULTS
Among 63,876 TAVR procedures, 212 consecutive redo-TAVR procedures were identified (0.33%): 74 within and 138 beyond 1 year of the initial procedure. For these 2 groups, TAVR-to-redo-TAVR time was 68 (38 to 154) days and 5 (3 to 6) years. The indication for redo-TAVR was THV stenosis in 12 (16.2%) and 51 (37.0%) (p = 0.002) and regurgitation or combined stenosis-regurgitation in 62 (83.8%) and 86 (62.3%) (p = 0.028), respectively. Device success using VARC-2 criteria was achieved in 180 patients (85.1%); most failures were attributable to high residual gradients (14.1%) or regurgitation (8.9%). At 30-day and 1-year follow-up, residual gradients were 12.6 ± 7.5 mm Hg and 12.9 ± 9.0 mm Hg; valve area 1.63 ± 0.61 cm2 and 1.51 ± 0.57 cm2; and regurgitation ≤mild in 91% and 91%, respectively. Peri-procedural complication rates were low (3 stroke [1.4%], 7 valve malposition [3.3%], 2 coronary obstruction [0.9%], 20 new permanent pacemaker [9.6%], no mortality), and symptomatic improvement was substantial. Survival at 30 days was 94.6% and 98.5% (p = 0.101) and 83.6% and 88.3% (p = 0.335) at 1 year for patients presenting with early and late valve dysfunction, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Redo-TAVR is a relatively safe and effective option for selected patients with valve dysfunction after TAVR. These results are important for applicability of TAVR in patients with long life expectancy in whom THV durability may be a concern. | 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.02.051 |
pubmed_326_9281 | OBJECTIVE
To determine the immune status of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by estimating the production of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in whole-blood cultures from these patients and from healthy subjects.
PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Peripheral blood (2 mL) was collected from 30 untreated patients (23 men and seven women, mean age 59 years, range 35-78) with RCC and 30 healthy subjects (23 men and seven women, mean age 62 years). The patients with RCC comprised 17 with low-stage (stage I, II) and 13 patients with high-stage (stage III, IV) RCC. Sendai virus was added to the samples and incubated at 37 degrees C for 20 h, the supernatants collected and the activity of IFN-alpha determined by a conventional cytopathic-effect inhibition assay performed in microtitre plates with FL cells and challenged with vesicular stomatitis virus.
RESULTS
The production of IFN-alpha was suppressed significantly in patients with high-stage RCC compared with that in the control subjects (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference when compared to patients with low-stage RCC.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated that the immune status of patients with high-stage RCC was impaired significantly and exogenous IFN-alpha therapy might be beneficial clinically for this group. | 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1996.08426.x |
pubmed_859_25079 | Anthropogenic climate change is causing a rapid redistribution of life on Earth, particularly in the ocean, with profound implications for humans. Yet warming-driven range shifts are known to be influenced by a variety of factors whose combined effects are still little understood. Here, we use scientist-verified out-of-range observations from a national citizen-science initiative to assess the combined effect of long-term warming, climate extremes (i.e., heatwaves and cold spells), ocean currents, and species traits on early stages of marine range extensions in two warming 'hotspot' regions of southern Australia. We find effects of warming to be contingent upon complex interactions with the strength of ocean currents and their mutual directional agreement, as well as species traits. Our study represents the most comprehensive account to date of factors driving early stages of marine species redistributions, providing important evidence for the assessment of the vulnerability of marine species distributions to climate change. | 10.1038/s42003-022-04273-0 |
pubmed_95_7824 | The antiepileptic drug carbamazepine produces dose related anticonvulsant effects in genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPRs) and most other animal seizure models. Carbamazepine releases serotonin as part of the pharmacodynamic action by which it suppresses convulsions in GEPRs and it releases serotonin in non-epileptic Sprague-Dawley rats. The two strains which make up the GEPR seizure model (moderate seizure GEPR-3s and severe seizure GEPR-9s) experience anticonvulsant effects in response to different doses of carbamazepine (GEPR-3 ED50 = 25 mg/kg; GEPR-9 ED50 = 3 mg/kg). The present study determined that carbamazepine produces a dose related increase in extracellular serotonin in each of the two GEPR strains. The doses of carbamazepine required to increase extracellular serotonin are similar to the doses required for an anticonvulsant effect in each of the strains. This result provides further support for the hypothesis that release of serotonin by carbamazepine is an important part of the pharmacodynamic action by which this drug suppresses seizures. | 10.1016/s0304-3940(97)00288-7 |
pubmed_914_1970 | BACKGROUND
Prolonged catheterization is the primary risk factor for catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). Reminder systems are interventions used to prompt the removal of unnecessary urinary catheters. To summarize the effect of urinary catheter reminder systems on the rate of CAUTI, urinary catheter use, and the need for recatheterization, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
Studies were identified in MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Biosis, the Web of Science, EMBASE, and CINAHL through August 2008. Only interventional studies that used reminders to physicians or nurses that a urinary catheter was in use or stop orders to prompt catheter removal in hospitalized adults were included. A total of 6679 citations were identified; 118 articles were reviewed, and 14 articles met the selection criteria.
RESULTS
The rate of CAUTI (episodes per 1000 catheter-days) was reduced by 52% (P < .001) with use of a reminder or stop order. The mean duration of catheterization decreased by 37%, resulting in 2.61 fewer days of catheterization per patient in the intervention versus control groups; the pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) in the duration of catheterization was -1.11 overall (P = 070), including a statistically significant decrease in studies that used a stop order (SMD, -0.30; P = .001) but not in those that used a reminder (SMD, -1.54; P = .071). Recatheterization rates were similar in control and intervention groups.
CONCLUSION
Urinary catheter reminders and stop orders appear to reduce the rate of CAUTI and should be strongly considered to enhance the safety of hospitalized patients. | 10.1086/655133 |
pubmed_1123_17066 | BACKGROUND
Mantle cell lymphoma accounts for 6% of all B-cell lymphomas and is generally incurable. It is characterized by the translocation t(11;14) leading to cyclin D1 over-expression. Cyclin D1 is downstream of the mammalian target of rapamycin threonine kinase and can be effectively blocked by mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors. We set out to examine the single agent activity of the orally available mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus in a prospective, multicenter trial in patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (NCT00516412).
DESIGN AND METHODS
Eligible patients who had received a maximum of three prior lines of chemotherapy were given everolimus 10 mg for 28 days (one cycle) for a total of six cycles or until disease progression. The primary endpoint was the best objective response. Adverse reactions, progression-free survival and molecular response were secondary endpoints.
RESULTS
Thirty-six patients (35 evaluable) were enrolled and treatment was generally well tolerated with Common Terminology Criteria grade ≥ 3 adverse events (>5%) including anemia (11%), thrombocytopenia (11%) and neutropenia (8%). The overall response rate was 20% (95% CI: 8-37%) with two complete remissions and five partial responses; 49% of the patients had stable disease. At a median follow-up of 6 months, the median progression-free survival was 5.5 months (95% CI: 2.8-8.2) overall and 17.0 (6.4-23.3) months for 18 patients who received six or more cycles of treatment. Three patients achieved a lasting complete molecular response, as assessed by polymerase chain reaction analysis of peripheral blood.
CONCLUSIONS
Everolimus as a single agent is well tolerated and has anti-lymphoma activity in relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. Further studies of everolimus in combination with chemotherapy or as a single agent for maintenance treatment are warranted. | 10.3324/haematol.2011.053173 |
pubmed_179_12085 | BACKGROUND
The objective was to investigate the feasibility of blood flow restricted exercise (BFRE) as a rehabilitation modality in patients with a unilateral ankle fracture.
METHODS
Feasibility study with a prospective cohort design. Inclusion criteria were above 18 years of age and unilateral ankle fractures.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA
history of cardiac or embolic diseases, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and family history of cardio or vascular diseases. The predefined feasibility outcome was based on three criteria regarding patients experience with participating in the BFRE protocol and the absence of any serious adverse events.
RESULTS
Eight patients were included. Median age was 33 years (range: 23-60). All eight patients reported maximum satisfaction on the two questions regarding patient's perception of the overall experience with BFRE training and the feasibility to introduce BFRE as an intervention.
CONCLUSION
Early use of BFRE in patients with unilateral ankle fractures seems feasible in patients without comorbidity. | 10.1016/j.fas.2021.08.010 |
pubmed_821_5430 | Fungal infections are common in immunocompromised patients. The presentation is often subtle and therefore treatment is delayed. Uretero-ileal anastomotic dehiscence due to candidal infection has never been reported before. This case represents an uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication in reconstructive surgery; that is, anastomotic dehiscence due to a unique etiology. | 10.1046/j.1442-2042.2001.00281.x |
pubmed_837_4860 | A primary determinant of pathogenicity in Erwinia stewartii is the production of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS). A single mutation can abolish both EPS synthesis and pathogenicity; both properties are restored by a single cosmid clone. Subcloning and insertion analysis have defined a single positive regulatory function which shares a number of similarities with the rcsA function of Escherichia coli K-12, a positive regulator for capsular polysaccharide synthesis. In E. stewartii, the gene promotes the transcription of at least two operons (cps) involved in EPS synthesis; we have previously demonstrated a similar function for rcsA in E. coli. Both genes code for proteins of 25 to 27 kilodaltons; both proteins are unstable in E. coli. The E. stewartii RcsA protein was stabilized in E. coli lon mutants, as the RcsA product from E. coli is. The E. stewartii function complemented E. coli rcsA mutants, and the E. coli RcsA function increased cps expression and restored virulence in E. stewartii mutants. Therefore, these two gram-negative organisms share a similar component of their regulatory circuitry for the control of capsular polysaccharide synthesis. | 10.1128/jb.169.10.4525-4531.1987 |
pubmed_653_6073 | BACKGROUND
The motor and non-motor symptoms of multiple sclerosis often result in a substantially reduced health-related quality of life. We surveyed patient satisfaction and own evaluation of the benefit of a period spent at a specialised rehabilitation centre.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
All patients who spent a period at the Hakadal MS rehabilitation centre in 2010 were asked to complete a validated questionnaire designed to determine patient satisfaction with rehabilitation institutions.
RESULTS
Of a total of 339 patients, 277 (82%) returned the questionnaire. The great majority of respondents were satisfied with the knowledge, cooperation, care and engagement of those providing treatment, as well as with the advance information provided and the premises. They also found that they were consulted concerning their rehabilitation programme and that they were prepared for the period following their stay. More than 85% of the respondents stated that the stay would have major or very great importance for their general qualify of life and physical health. A similar score for mental health was given by 83%, mastery of day-to-day tasks by 77% and participation in social activities by 71%.
INTERPRETATION
Patients who have had stays at the Hakadal MS rehabilitation centre are satisfied and feel that the stay will be of great importance to their level of functioning and mastery. | 10.4045/tidsskr.11.1043 |
pubmed_1004_13695 | For decades, intensive studies have attempted to identify the mechanisms underlying malignant tumor growth. Despite significant progress, most therapeutic approaches fail to eliminate all tumor cells. The remaining tumor cells often result in recurrence and metastasis. Recently, the idea of a cancer stem cell was proposed to explain of the origin of cancer cells. According to this hypothesis, a small fraction of tumor cells have the capacity for self-renewal, with unlimited slow proliferation potential. They are often resistant to chemotherapy and radiation and thus are responsible for continuously supplying new cancer cells, which themselves may have a limited life span. In recent years, accumulating experimental evidence supports this hypothesis and provides new possibilities to conquer cancer. This review will focus on the distinction between normal adult stem cells and cancer stem cells and identifies possible key targets for effective therapies of cancer. | 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2008.04.008 |
pubmed_501_4017 | In vivo labeling of mitochondrial DNA using 3H-methyl-thymidine suggests that in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus also no bulk replication of mitochondrial DNA takes place after fertilization at least until pluteus stage. | pubmed_501_4017 |
pubmed_77_17160 | A patient had transient ischemic attacks and venous stasis retinopathy due to an occlusion of the common carotid artery. Medical therapy controlled the cerebral symptoms but the venous stasis retinopathy progressed over ten months until neovascularization of disc and iris were present. Panretinal photocoagulation resulted in resolution of ocular ischemic changes over six months. Panretinal photocoagulation may be an effective therapy in patients with ocular neovascularization secondary to carotid occlusive disease which is not amenable to endarterectomy or extracranial-intracranial arterial bypass. | pubmed_77_17160 |
pubmed_898_5887 | The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using an iPad to teach early literacy skills to students with intellectual disability (ID). Three elementary students with mild to moderate levels of ID participated in the study. We used a multiple-probe design across students to examine a functional relationship between using an iPad providing visual supports and the acquisition of phonemic segmentation skills. Results indicated that using visual supports via an iPad was an effective method to teach phonemic segmentation fluency to these three students with ID. We also discussed implications and suggestions for future research. | 10.1352/1934-9556-58.1.34 |
pubmed_835_17194 | Cerebral blood arrival and tissue transit times are sensitive measures of the efficiency of tissue perfusion and can provide clinically meaningful information on collateral blood flow status. We exploit the arterial blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal contrast established by precisely decreasing, and then increasing, arterial hemoglobin saturation using respiratory re-oxygenation challenges to quantify arterial blood arrival times throughout the brain. We term this approach the Step Hemoglobin re-Oxygenation Contrast Stimulus (SHOCS). Carpet plot analysis yielded measures of signal onset (blood arrival), global transit time (gTT) and calculations of relative total blood volume. Onset times averaged across 12 healthy subjects were 1.1 ± 0.4 and 1.9 ± 0.6 for cortical gray and deep white matter, respectively. The average whole brain gTT was 4.5 ± 0.9 s. The SHOCS response was 1.7 fold higher in grey versus white matter; in line with known differences in tissue-specific blood volume fraction. SHOCS was also applied in a patient with unilateral carotid artery occlusion revealing ipsilateral prolonged signal onset with normal perfusion in the unaffected hemisphere. We anticipate that SHOCS will further inform on the extent of collateral blood flow in patients with upstream steno-occlusive vascular disease, including those already known to manifest reductions in vasodilatory reserve capacity or vascular steal. | 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119523 |
pubmed_334_531 | The NH-N(2) van der Waals complex has been examined at the CCSD(T) level of theory using aug-cc-pVDZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. The full basis set superposition error correction was applied. Two minimum energy structures were located for the electronic ground state. The global minimum corresponds to a linear geometry of the complex (NH-N-N), with D(e)=236 cm(-1) and R(c.m.)=4.22 A. The secondary minimum corresponds to a T-shaped geometry of C(2v) symmetry, where the nitrogen atom of the H-N moiety points toward the center of mass of the N(2) unit, aligned with the a-inertial axis of the complex. The binding energy and R(c.m.) value for the secondary minimum were 144 cm(-1) and 3.63 A, respectively. This potential energy surface is consistent with the properties of matrix-isolated NH-N(2), and it is predicted that linear NH-N(2) will be a stable complex in the gas phase at low temperatures. | 10.1063/1.2722260 |
pubmed_182_8683 | A model was developed to simulate the sewage sludge gasification in an atmospheric fluidised bed gasifier using Aspen Plus. The model here presented was based on the Gibbs free energy minimisation and the restricted equilibrium method was used to calibrate it against previously published experimental data obtained in a lab-scale gasification plant. A sensitivity analysis of the model was carried out by modifying parameters such as the temperature, equivalence ratio (ER) and the steam-to-biomass ratio. The modeled results were in good agreement with the experimental data (especially when air was used as gasifying agent) and reproduced satisfactorily the experimental trends found for the gas composition, the carbon conversion (Xc) and the cold gas efficiency (CGE) under different gasification conditions. Operating at higher temperatures increased the production of H2 and CO, as well as the Xc and the CGE. The increase in ER produced higher Xc, yet the CGE experienced slight changes due to a decrease in the lower heating value of the resulting syngas, as well as the oxidation of combustible gases. The use of air+steam as gasifying agent increased the H2 content of the produced gases but decreased the accuracy of the model. | 10.1080/10962247.2018.1500404 |
pubmed_408_11724 | When equally spaced, vertical, straight lines are rotated about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the plane of the grid, the horizontal separation between the lines increases with the angle of rotation. With the grid presented binocularly, the increase in horizontal separation between the lines can be used to measure the vergence limits of subjects. Results obtained by this method were compared with those obtained by Risley prisms and by a haploscope. The new method has advantages over the traditional methods: it is not affected by the aberrations and distortions generated by prisms and it presents a more natural stimulus situation than the tubular haploscope. | 10.1097/00006324-198203000-00007 |
pubmed_815_20084 | A case of successful pregnancy in a separated conjoined twin is described. The patient underwent cesarean delivery because of the reconstructed pelvis and extensive perineal reconstruction, which resulted in dense fibrosis. Surgical records and communication with the patient's pediatric surgeons were helpful in planning for delivery. | 10.1016/0002-9378(94)90171-6 |
pubmed_488_11242 | In a large, geographically defined population of children a number of family factors in addition to social class, determined by the father's occupation, were recorded by health visitors and school nurses with routine responsibility for these children. The quality of the children in normal schools was assessed in terms of nonverbal IQ and height at the ages of 5 and 10 years, and of behavior as reported by the teacher at the age of 10 years. By analysis of variance the sum of the independent effects of the other family factors greatly outweighed that of occupational social class, except in the case of the IQ at 10 years. The most important of the other family factors was the quality of the mother's care of her child during the first 3 years of life. | 10.1136/adc.51.11.853 |
pubmed_830_18177 | Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are effective in treating myocardial infarction (MI) and previous reports demonstrated that hypoxia improves MSC self-renewal and therapeutics. Considering that hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is a master regulator of the adaptative response to hypoxia, we hypothesized that HIF-1α overexpression in MSC could mimic some of the mechanisms triggered by hypoxia and increase their therapeutic potential without hypoxia stimulation. Transduction of MSC with HIF-1α lentivirus vectors (MSC-HIF) resulted in increased cell adhesion and migration, and activation of target genes coding for paracrine factors. When MSC-HIF were intramyocardially injected in infarcted nude rats, significant improvement was found (after treatment of infarcted rats with MSC-HIF) in terms of cardiac function, angiogenesis, cardiomyocyte proliferation, and reduction of fibrotic tissue with no induction of cardiac hypertrophy. This finding provides evidences for a crucial role of HIF-1α on MSC biology and suggests the stabilization of HIF-1α as a novel strategy for cellular therapies. | 10.1089/scd.2012.0340 |
pubmed_820_3387 | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the gold standard in detecting high-risk (ie, aortic thrombi) and potential sources (ie, patent foramen ovale [PFO]) of cerebral embolism. We sought to evaluate the additional information and therapeutic impact provided by TEE in stroke patients and to characterize patients in whom TEE is indispensable.
METHODS
We included 503 consecutive patients (mean age 62.2 years) with acute brain ischemia. Each patient received TEE and the following routine diagnostics: ultrasound of brain supplying arteries, ECG or Holter-ECG, transthoracic echocardiography, and brain imaging (computed tomography or MRI). Stroke etiology was classified according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria. High-risk sources in TEE were: aortic thrombi or plaques > or =4 mm, thrombi in left atrial cavity/left atrial appendage, spontaneous echo contrast, and left atrial flow velocity <30 cm/s. Potential sources in TEE were PFO, atrial septal aneurysm, and aortic plaques <4 mm.
RESULTS
Stroke etiology was determined by routine diagnostics in 276 of 503 patients (54.9%). Of the remaining 227 patients (undetermined etiology), 212 (93.4%) were candidates for oral anticoagulation (OA). TEE revealed a high-risk source, with indication for OA in 17 of them (8.0%). A potential source leading to OA was found in an additional 48 patients (22.6%). The remaining 147 patients (69.3%) were treated by platelet inhibitors or statins.
CONCLUSIONS
TEE strongly influenced secondary prevention and led to OA in one third of our patients with stroke of undetermined etiology. TEE is indispensable in all patients being candidates for OA when routine diagnostics cannot clarify stroke etiology. | 10.1161/01.STR.0000202592.87021.b7 |
pubmed_229_11995 | This work describes the construction and characterization of a sequence characterized amplified DNA region (SCAR DNA), designated OmyP9, that was derived from a RAPD marker associated with the sex chromosomes in rainbow trout. A RsaI restriction fragment length polymorphism in OmyP9 identifies variants A, B and C. We found six OmyP9 variant phenotypes - A, B, C, AB, BC and ABC, in 186 individuals of seven different rainbow trout strains. The patterns of inheritance of OmyP9 in 139 fingerlings from 10 crosses of three strains of rainbow trout were studied. The males had a greater representation of the A variant (93.3%) suggesting an association with the Y chromosome. All male fingerlings analysed inherited the A variant from their male parents. These results support the hypothesis that OmyP9 is located on the sex chromosomes of rainbow trout, and that for the males studied the A variant is located on the Y chromosome in a region close to sex determinants and/or in a sector where the genetic recombination between X and Y is restricted. The present evidence also supports our previous hypothesis that OmyP9 is organized as a tandem repeated sequence in the sex chromosomes of rainbow trout. We feel that the OmyP9 RsaI marker can be used for sex identification in crosses where it is possible to determine the phenotype of the parents. | 10.1046/j.1365-2540.2001.00845.x |
pubmed_272_9565 | In this Letter we present a very general method for extracting information from a generic string of characters, e.g., a text, a DNA sequence, or a time series. Based on data-compression techniques, its key point is the computation of a suitable measure of the remoteness of two bodies of knowledge. We present the implementation of the method to linguistic motivated problems, featuring highly accurate results for language recognition, authorship attribution, and language classification. | 10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.048702 |
pubmed_444_20550 | INTRODUCTION
Chest imaging often incidentally finds indeterminate nodules that need to be monitored to ensure early detection of lung cancers. Health care systems need effective approaches for identifying these lung nodules. We compared the diagnostic performance of 2 approaches for identifying patients with lung nodules on imaging studies (chest/abdomen): (1) relying on radiologists to code imaging studies with lung nodules; and (2) applying a text search algorithm to identify references to lung nodules in radiology reports.
METHODS
We assessed all radiology studies performed between January 1, 2016 and November 30, 2016 in a single Veterans Health Administration hospital. We first identified imaging reports with a diagnostic code for a pulmonary nodule. We then applied a text search algorithm to identify imaging reports with key words associated with lung nodules. We reviewed medical records for all patients with a suspicious radiology report based on either search strategy to confirm the presence of a lung nodule. We calculated the yield and the positive predictive value (PPV) of each search strategy for finding pulmonary nodules.
RESULTS
We identified 12,983 imaging studies with a potential lung nodule. Chart review confirmed 8,516 imaging studies with lung nodules, representing 2,912 unique patients. The text search algorithm identified all the patients with lung nodules identified by the radiology coding (n = 1,251) as well as an additional 1,661 patients. The PPV of the text search was 72% (2,912/4,071) and the PPV of the radiology code was 92% (1,251/1,363). Among the patients with nodules missed by radiology coding but identified by the text search algorithm, 130 had lung nodules > 8 mm in diameter.
CONCLUSIONS
The text search algorithm can identify additional patients with lung nodules compared to the radiology coding; however, this strategy requires substantial clinical review time to confirm nodules. Health care systems adopting nodule-tracking approaches should recognize that relying only on radiology coding might miss clinically important nodules. | pubmed_444_20550 |
pubmed_888_2293 | AMPA receptors (AMPARs) are dynamically regulated at synapses, but the time course and location of their exocytosis and endocytosis are not known. Therefore, we have used ecliptic pHluorin-tagged glutamate receptor 2 to visualize changes in AMPAR surface expression in real time. We show that synaptic and extrasynaptic AMPARs respond very differently to NMDA receptor activation; there is a rapid internalization of extrasynaptic AMPARs that precedes the delayed removal of synaptic AMPARs. | 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1042-04.2004 |
pubmed_383_22229 | Cities are emerging as a new venue to overcome the challenges of obtaining data on compensatory responses to climatic warming through phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary change. In this Review, we highlight how cities can be used to explore physiological trait responses to experimental warming, and also how cities can be used as human-made space-for-time substitutions. We assessed the current literature and found evidence for significant plasticity and evolution in thermal tolerance trait responses to urban heat islands. For those studies that reported both plastic and evolved components of thermal tolerance, we found evidence that both mechanisms contributed to phenotypic shifts in thermal tolerance, rather than plastic responses precluding or limiting evolved responses. Interestingly though, for a broader range of studies, we found that the magnitude of evolved shifts in thermal tolerance was not significantly different from the magnitude of shift in those studies that only reported phenotypic results, which could be a product of evolution, plasticity, or both. Regardless, the magnitude of shifts in urban thermal tolerance phenotypes was comparable to more traditional space-for-time substitutions across latitudinal and altitudinal clines in environmental temperature. We conclude by considering how urban-derived estimates of plasticity and evolution of thermal tolerance traits can be used to improve forecasting methods, including macrophysiological models and species distribution modelling approaches. Finally, we consider areas for further exploration including sub-lethal performance traits and thermal performance curves, assessing the adaptive nature of trait shifts, and taking full advantage of the environmental thermal variation that cities generate. | 10.1242/jeb.229336 |
pubmed_824_1819 | We studied the effects of aminoglycosides and changing Mg2+ ion concentration on the accuracy of initial codon selection by aminoacyl-tRNA in ternary complex with elongation factor Tu and GTP (T3) on mRNA programmed ribosomes. Aminoglycosides decrease the accuracy by changing the equilibrium constants of 'monitoring bases' A1492, A1493 and G530 in 16S rRNA in favor of their 'activated' state by large, aminoglycoside-specific factors, which are the same for cognate and near-cognate codons. Increasing Mg2+ concentration decreases the accuracy by slowing dissociation of T3 from its initial codon- and aminoglycoside-independent binding state on the ribosome. The distinct accuracy-corrupting mechanisms for aminoglycosides and Mg2+ ions prompted us to re-interpret previous biochemical experiments and functional implications of existing high resolution ribosome structures. We estimate the upper thermodynamic limit to the accuracy, the 'intrinsic selectivity' of the ribosome. We conclude that aminoglycosides do not alter the intrinsic selectivity but reduce the fraction of it that is expressed as the accuracy of initial selection. We suggest that induced fit increases the accuracy and speed of codon reading at unaltered intrinsic selectivity of the ribosome. | 10.1093/nar/gkx1256 |
pubmed_472_24022 | BACKGROUND
Uterine inversion is an uncommon complication in the non-puerperal period. Submucosal myoma is more frequently involved usually among women above 45 years old.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 28 year-old patient was admitted to the gynaecology emergency room in Cocody Teaching Hospital, Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire with a large lobulated fleshy mass in the vulval area. She had been having pelvic pain, heaviness in the pelvis and bleeding per vaginam intermittently for 6 months for which she had been treated conservatively without improvement. The clinical examination was consistent with uterine inversion secondary to a mass in the fundus of the uterus. The uterus with the mass in the fundus was excised by a combined vaginal and abdominal (abdominal hysterectomy) approach. Histopathology confirmed the mass to be a sub-mucosal uterine leiomyoma. She has been followed up for 12 months without complaints.
CONCLUSION
We have presented a young woman with an unusual non-puerperal, total and chronic uterine inversion as a result of uterine leiomyoma managed successfully by a combined abdominal and vaginal approach. | pubmed_472_24022 |
pubmed_38_1288 | Nanotechnology research has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Advances in information technology enable efficient investigation of publications, their contents, and relationships for large sets of nanotechnology-related documents in order to assess the status of the field. This paper presents the development of a new knowledge mapping system, called Nano Mapper (http://nanomapper.eller.arizona.edu), which integrates the analysis of nanotechnology patents and research grants into a Web-based platform. The Nano Mapper system currently contains nanotechnology-related patents for 1976-2006 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), European Patent Office (EPO), and Japan Patent Office (JPO), as well as grant documents from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) for the same time period. The system provides complex search functionalities, and makes available a set of analysis and visualization tools (statistics, trend graphs, citation networks, and content maps) that can be applied to different levels of analytical units (countries, institutions, technical fields) and for different time intervals. The paper shows important nanotechnology patenting activities at USPTO for 2005-2006 identified through the Nano Mapper system. | 10.1007/s11051-008-9491-z |
pubmed_938_18694 | To find a quick screen of potential bladder carcinogens, a genotoxicity test in Drosophila melanogaster stocks containing DNA repair mutations was evaluated. Meiosis repair deficient male Drosophila melanogaster mei-9, mei-41, and the double mutant mei-9-41 were allowed to mate with attached -x females on media containing the test agent. Genotoxic agents produce DNA damage which accumulates and can be lethal in mei males, whereas the attached -x females are able to repair the damage and survive. Thus, the sex ratio of the progeny is a measure of genotoxicity which can be correlated with mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. In this study, tea, coffee, and saccharin were not genotoxic (p greater than 0.3). Dose dependent toxicity was observed in bracken fern (p less than 0.001). The known mutagen and bladder carcinogen, cyclophosphamide, was highly genotoxic (p less than .001). Drosophila genotoxicity not only permits rapid screening of mutagens, but may also have advantages over other systems in the screening of potential bladder carcinogens. | 10.1016/s0022-5347(17)39097-3 |
pubmed_259_16850 | This paper analyses the relationship between social capital and population health. The analysis is carried out within an econometric model of population health in 19 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries using panel data covering three different time periods. Social capital is measured by the proportion of people who say that that they generally trust other people and by membership in voluntary associations. The model performs well in explaining health outcomes. We find very little statistically significant evidence that the standard indicators of social capital have a positive effect on population health. By contrast, per capita income and the proportion of health expenditure financed by the government are both significantly and positively associated with better health outcomes. The paper casts doubt upon the widely accepted hypothesis that social capital has a positive effect on health and illustrates the importance of testing this kind of hypothesis in an extended model. | 10.1016/s0277-9536(02)00241-1 |
pubmed_575_2954 | Selective defunctionalisation of organic molecules to valuable intermediates is a fundamentally important transformation in organic synthesis. Despite the advances made in efficient and selective defunctionalisation using transition-metal catalysis, the cost, toxicity, and non-renewable properties limit its application in industrial manufacturing processes. In this regard, boron Lewis acid catalysis has emerged as a powerful tool for the cleavage of carbon-heteroatom bonds. The ground-breaking finding is that the strong boron Lewis acid B(C6F5)3 can activate Si-H bonds through η1 coordination, and this Lewis adduct is a key intermediate that enables various reduction processes. This system can be tuned by variation of the electronic and structural properties of the borane catalyst, and together with different hydride sources high chemoselectivity can be achieved. This Perspective provides a comprehensive summary of various defunctionalisation reactions such as deoxygenation, decarbonylation, desulfurisation, deamination, and dehalogenation, all of which catalysed by boron Lewis acids. | 10.1039/d0sc03712e |
pubmed_490_1880 | We present a practical and easy-to-run in silico workflow exploiting a structure-based strategy making use of docking simulations to derive highly predictive classification models of the androgenic potential of chemicals. Models were trained on a high-quality chemical collection comprising 1689 curated compounds made available within the CoMPARA consortium from the US Environmental Protection Agency and were integrated with a two-step applicability domain whose implementation had the effect of improving both the confidence in prediction and statistics by reducing the number of false negatives. Among the nine androgen receptor X-ray solved structures, the crystal 2PNU (entry code from the Protein Data Bank) was associated with the best performing structure-based classification model. Three validation sets comprising each 2590 compounds extracted by the DUD-E collection were used to challenge model performance and the effectiveness of Applicability Domain implementation. Next, the 2PNU model was applied to screen and prioritize two collections of chemicals. The first is a small pool of 12 representative androgenic compounds that were accurately classified based on outstanding rationale at the molecular level. The second is a large external blind set of 55450 chemicals with potential for human exposure. We show how the use of molecular docking provides highly interpretable models and can represent a real-life option as an alternative nontesting method for predictive toxicology. | 10.1021/acs.jcim.7b00420 |
pubmed_583_9400 | Host cell apoptosis plays an important immune regulatory role in parasitic infections. Infection of mice with Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, induces lymphocyte apoptosis. In addition, phagocytosis of apoptotic cells stimulates the growth of T. cruzi inside host macrophages. In spite of progress made in this area, the importance of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease remains unclear. Here we review the evidence of apoptosis in mice and humans infected with T. cruzi. We also discuss the mechanisms by which apoptosis can influence underlying host responses and tissue damage during Chagas disease progression. | pubmed_583_9400 |
pubmed_1046_17809 | Pichia pastoris is subjected to strong oxidative stress in the methanol induction phase. The oxidative stress inflicts severe injury to yeast cells, which causes cell death and reduces protein expression ability. N-acetyltransferase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae can protect yeast cells from damage caused by decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in oxidative pressure environments such as ethanol treatment, freeze-thawing, or heat shock. In this study, N-acetyltransferase from P. pastoris (PpMpr1) was overexpressed for the first time to improve the anti-oxidative stress ability to protect cells from strong ROS damage during the methanol induction phase. Cell viability of the PpMpr1 overexpression strain increased significantly, while biomass was increased by 22.7% at high dissolved oxygen (DO). At the same time, the heterologous α-glucosidase (AGL) expression level at 25% DO was increased by 21.5%. The AGL degradation was greatly relieved in the fermentation supernatant of the PpMpr1 overexpression strain. This study shows that PpMpr1 has a great potential for improvement of anti-oxidative stress ability in P. pastoris and provides a promising recombinant microorganism for industrial production of proteins. | 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2018.11.006 |
pubmed_362_2083 | Single-atom alloys hold great promise for electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), while the comprehensive experimental/theoretical investigations of SAAs for the NRR are still missing. Herein, PdFe1 single-atom alloy metallene, in which the Fe single atoms are confined on a Pd metallene support, is first developed as an effective and robust NRR electrocatalyst, delivering exceptional NRR performance with an NH3 yield of 111.9 μg h-1 mg-1 , a Faradaic efficiency of 37.8 % at -0.2 V (RHE), as well as a long-term stability for 100 h electrolysis. In-depth mechanistic investigations by theoretical computations and operando X-ray absorption/Raman spectroscopy indentify Pd-coordinated Fe single atoms as active centers to enable efficient N2 activation via N2 -to-Fe σ-donation, reduced protonation energy barriers, suppressed hydrogen evolution and excellent thermodynamic stability, thus accounting for the high activity, selectivity and stability of PdFe1 for the NRR. | 10.1002/anie.202205923 |
pubmed_909_6857 | The closely related protozoan parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum display similar life cycles, subcellular ultrastructure, invasion mechanisms, metabolic pathways, and genome organization, but differ in their host range and disease pathogenesis. Type II (γ) interferon has long been known to be the major mediator of innate and adaptive immunity to Toxoplasma infection, but genome-wide expression profiling of infected host cells indicates that Neospora is a potent activator of the type I (α/β) interferon pathways typically associated with antiviral responses. Infection of macrophages from mice with targeted deletions in various innate sensing genes demonstrates that host responses to Neospora are dependent on the toll-like receptor Tlr3 and the adapter protein Trif. Consistent with this observation, RNA from Neospora elicits TLR3-dependent type I interferon responses when targeted to the host endo-lysosomal system. Although live Toxoplasma fail to induce type I interferon, heat-killed parasites do trigger this response, albeit much weaker than Neospora, and co-infection studies reveal that T. gondii actively suppresses the production of type I interferon. These findings reveal that eukaryotic pathogens can be potent inducers of type I interferon and that related parasite species interact with this pathway in distinct ways. | 10.1371/journal.pone.0088398 |
pubmed_317_19939 | Aberrant DNA methylation pattern is a well-known epigenetic marker of cancer cells. Recently, aberrant methylation was also reported in the peripheral blood of cancer patients and it could potentially serve as a biomarker for cancer risk. We investigated the methylation pattern of LINE-1 and other repetitive DNA elements in peripheral blood of cutaneous melanoma patients in order to search for an association with clinical characteristics. The patient cohort was composed by 69 unrelated melanoma patients, 28 of whom were hereditary cases (with or without CDKN2A mutations) and 41 were isolated (sporadic) melanoma cases. Methylation of LINE-1 was evaluated by pyrosequencing, whereas additional repetitive DNA sequences were assessed using Illumina 450K methylation microarray. Melanoma patients exhibited a higher, albeit heterogeneous, LINE-1 methylation level compared with controls. Hereditary melanoma patients carrying CDKN2A mutations showed a hypermethylated pattern of both LINE-1 and repetitive DNA elements compared with other patients. In particular, the methylation level at one specific CpG of LINE-1 was found to be correlated with the occurrence of metastasis. Our data suggest that LINE-1 hypermethylation in peripheral blood of melanoma patients is a potential epigenetic biomarker for metastasis occurrence. | 10.1097/CMR.0000000000000141 |
pubmed_1065_20675 | Metal-catalyzed oxidation (MCO) represents a prominent pathway of protein degradation. To evaluate the importance of the integrity of the metal-binding site on MCO, we subjected recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), to MCO (ascorbate, Cu(2+), (3)O(2)) in the presence of various aliphatic alcohols (ethanol, ethylene glycol, trifluoroethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, and tert-butanol). All alcohols inhibited MCO in a concentration-dependent and sigmoidal manner. Half-points, P(1/2), were dependent on the nature of the alcohol. Circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to monitor cosolvent-induced secondary and tertiary structural changes. The presence of alcohols increased the helical content of rhGH and induced a red shift in the tryptophan emission. The midpoints of the tertiary structural change correlated with the P(1/2) values. Solvent polarity at P(1/2) was determined according to the E(T)(30) scale. All alcohol/water mixtures at P(1/2) had rather similar solvent polarities between 54.5 to 56.4 kcal/mol, with the exception of ethylene glycol. On the other hand, no correlation was obtained between the protection against MCO and the hydroxyl radical-scavenging properties of the cosolvent. We conclude that the primary mechanism of MCO inhibition is a cosolvent-induced conformational perturbation of the metal-binding site as opposed to pure radical scavenging. | 10.1002/1520-6017(200101)90:1<58::aid-jps7>3.0.co;2-w |
pubmed_131_11828 | Immunoperoxidase techniques were used to localize carcinoembryonic antigens (CEA) and human blood group substances (BGS) in 41 adenocarcinomas of the colon and 15 metastases or recurrences of these tumors. Ten primary tumors (24 per cent) were strongly positive for both antigens, 12 (29 per cent) were positive for BGS only, 11 (27 per cent) were positive for CEA only, and eight (20 per cent) contained only microscopic amounts of either. With few exceptions, individual tumor cells contained either CEA, BGS, or neither, but not both. Cancers of the left colon which were positive for BGS were associated with a lower frequency of metastases than were those without BGS (p less than 0.01); tumors lacking both CEA and BGS metastasized more frequently than those tumors containing either or both antigens (p less than 0.01). In tumors of the right colon, there was no significant correlation between antigen content and frequency of metastases. In three cases, the development of recurrent or metastatic tumor was associated with a loss of BGS positivity. The data suggest that immunohistochemical studies of BGS and CEA may be of value in estimating the clinical behavior of certain colon carcinomas. | pubmed_131_11828 |
pubmed_278_14906 | Glioma is the most common primary cancer in the central nervous system. Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy over the past decades, the prognosis of glioblastoma patients remains poor. We aim to identify robust gene signatures to better understand the complex molecular mechanisms and to discover potential novel molecular biomarkers for glioma. By exploring GSE16011, GSE4290 and GSE50161 data in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we screened out 380 differentially expressed genes between non-tumor and glioma tissues, and further selected 30 hub genes through the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plug-in in Cytoscape. In addition, LMNB1 and DLGAP5 were selected for further analyses due to their high expression in gliomas and were verified by using our cohort. Our study confirmed that LMNB1 and DLGAP5 were up-regulated in gliomas, and patients with high expression of LMNB1 or DLGAP5 had poor survival rate. Furthermore, silence of LMNB1 and DLGAP5 inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells. Together, LMNB1 and DLGAP5 were two potentially novel molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of glioma. | 10.1042/BSR20210231 |
pubmed_214_3823 | BACKGROUND
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a metabolic disease in which patients are prone to develop premature atherosclerosis (AS). Sorbin and SH3 Domain Containing 2 (SORBS2) is known to play a role in coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the mechanism underlying SORBS2 involvement in the development of hypercholesterolemia remains unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of SORBS2 on inflammation and foam cell formation and its underlying mechanisms.
METHODS
Using Bioinformatics analysis, we established that SORBS2 is upregulated in patients with FH. Circulating concentrations of SORBS2 were measured using ELISA kit (n = 30). The association between circulating SORBS2 levels and inflammatory factors or lipid indexes were conducted using Spearman correlation analysis. We further conducted in vitro experiments that the expression of SORBS2 were analyzed, and SORBS2 siRNA were transfected into oxidized LDL (OxLDL)-induced macrophages, followed by western blot and immunofluorescence.
RESULTS
Circulating SORBS2 levels were positively associated with inflammatory factors and lipid indexes. We also observed that high in vitro expression of SORBS2 in OxLDL-induced macrophages. After SORBS2 silencing, Nod like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 protein(NLRP3)-Caspase1 activation and NF-κB activation were attenuated, and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-18) was decreased. Moreover, SORBS2 silencing blocked reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid accumulation, and promoted cholesterol efflux through ABCG1-PPARγ pathway.
CONCLUSIONS
SORBS2 regulates lipid-induced inflammation and foam cell formation, and is a potential therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia. | 10.1186/s12967-022-03381-z |
pubmed_681_20255 | The X-ray structure analysis of the title compound, chloro[1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(piperazin-4-ium-1-yl)-3-quinolinecarboxylate-kappa(2)O(3),O(4)](1,10-phenanthroline-kappa(2)N,N')copper chloride dihydrate, [CuCl(C(17)H(18)FN(3)O(3))(C(12)H(8)N(2))]Cl x 2H(2)O or [CuCl(cfH)(phen)]Cl x 2H(2)O, where cfH is 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(piperazin-4-ium-1-yl)-3-quinolinecarboxylate and phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, shows that the geometry around the Cu ion is a slightly distorted square pyramid. Two O atoms of the carbonyl and carboxyl groups of ciprofloxacin and two N atoms of 1,10-phenanthroline are coordinated to the metal centre in the equatorial plane, and a Cl(-) ion is coordinated at the apical position. Extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding produces a supramolecular structure that consists of alternating six- and 12-membered rings. | 10.1107/s0108270103016330 |
pubmed_448_20746 | Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has aroused extensive attention for conquering cancers because of its high specificity and low invasiveness. Quick generation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) during CDT could induce more irreparable damage to cancer cells. The generation rate of ·OH could be magnified via the selection of suitable nanocatalysts or under the assistance of exogenous thermal energy from photothermal therapy (PTT). Here, we construct a kind of monodisperse core-shell Au@Cu2-xSe heterogeneous metal nanoparticles (NPs) for PTT boosted CDT synergistic therapy. Due to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) coupling effect in the core-shell structure, the photothermal conversion efficiency of Au@Cu2-xSe NPs is up to 56.6%. The in situ generated heat from photothermal can then accelerate the Fenton-like reaction at Cu+ sites to produce abundant ·OH, which will induce apoptotic cell death by attacking DNA, contributing to a heat-boosted CDT. Both in vitro and in vivo results showed that after this synergistic therapy, tumors could be remarkably suppressed. Guided by photoacoustic (PA) and computed tomography (CT) imaging, the therapeutic effects were more specified. Our results revealed that PA and CT dual-imaging-guided PTT boosted CDT synergistic therapy based on core-shell Au@Cu2-xSe NPs is an effective cancer treatment strategy. | 10.1186/s12951-021-01159-x |
pubmed_756_24506 | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Volatile anesthetic isoflurane contributes to postoperative cognitive dysfunction and inhibition of long-term potentiation (LTP), a synaptic model of learning and memory, but the mechanisms are uncertain. Central neuronal α4β2 subtype nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are involved in the induction of LTP in the hippocampus. Isoflurane inhibits α4β2 nAChRs at concentrations lower than those used for anesthesia. Therefore, we hypothesized that isoflurane-inhibited LTP induction of hippocampal CA1 neurons via α4β2 nAChRs subtype inhibition.
METHODS
Transverse hippocampal slices (400μm thick) were obtained from male rats (6-8 weeks old). Population spikes were evoked using extracellular electrodes by electrical stimulation of the Schaffer collateral-commissural pathway of rat hippocampal slices. LTP was induced using high frequency stimulation (HFS; 100Hz, 1s). Clinically relevant concentrations (0.125-0.5mM) of isoflurane with or without nicotine (nAChRs agonist), mecamylamine (nAChRs antagonist), 3-[2(S)-2-azetidinylmethoxy] pyridine (A85380) and epibatidine (α4β2 nAChRs agonist), dihydro β erythroidine (DHβE) (α4β2 nAChRs antagonist) were added to the perfusion solution 20min before HFS to test their effects on LTP by HFS respectively.
RESULTS
A brief HFS induced stable LTP in rat hippocampal slices, but LTP was significantly inhibited in the presence of isoflurane at concentrations of 0.125-0.5mM. The inhibitive effect of isoflurane on LTP was not only reversible and could be prevented by nAChRs agonist nicotine and α4β2 nAChRs agonist A85380 and epibatidine, but also mimicked and potentiated by nAChRs antagonist mecamylamine and α4β2 nAChRs antagonist DHβE.
CONCLUSIONS
Inhibition of α4β2 nAChRs subtype of hippocampus participates in isoflurane-mediated LTP inhibition. | pubmed_756_24506 |
pubmed_674_8571 | The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the significance of metabolites to the ERA of human pharmaceuticals. The predicted exposure concentrations (PECs) in surface water were estimated for a total of 24 selected active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and their metabolites using a life cycle based emission estimation model combined with a multimedia fate model with Monte-Carlo calculations. With the eco-toxicity data, the hazard quotients (HQs) of the metabolites were compared with those of individual parents alone. The results showed that PEC or toxicity or both of the metabolites was predicted to be higher than that of their parent APIs, which resulted in a total of 18 metabolites (from 12 parents) that have greater HQs than their parents. This result clearly demonstrated that some metabolites may potentially pose greater risk than their parent APIs in the water environment. Therefore, significance of metabolites should be carefully evaluated for monitoring strategy, priority setting, and scoping of the environmental risk assessment of APIs. The method used in the present work may serve as a pragmatic approach for the purpose of preliminary screening or priority setting of environmental risk posed by both APIs and their metabolites. | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.03.044 |
pubmed_598_7172 | Measuring electrical activity of neural networks by microelectrode array (MEA) has recently shown promise for screening level assessments of chemical toxicity on network development and function. Important aspects of interneuronal communication can be quantified from a single MEA recording, including individual firing rates, coordinated bursting, and measures of network synchrony, providing rich datasets to evaluate chemical effects. Further, multiple recordings can be made from the same network, including during the formation of these networks in vitro. The ability to perform multiple recording sessions over the in vitro development of network activity may provide further insight into developmental effects of neurotoxicants. In the current study, a recently described MEA-based screen of 86 compounds in primary rat cortical cultures over 12 days in vitro was revisited to establish a framework that integrates all available primary measures of electrical activity from MEA recordings into a composite metric for deviation from normal activity (total scalar perturbation). Examining scalar perturbations over time and increasing concentration of compound allowed for definition of critical concentrations or "tipping points" at which the neural networks switched from recovery to non-recovery trajectories for 42 compounds. These tipping point concentrations occurred at predominantly lower concentrations than those causing overt cell viability loss or disrupting individual network parameters, suggesting tipping points may be a more sensitive measure of network functional loss. Comparing tipping points for six compounds with plasma concentrations known to cause developmental neurotoxicity in vivo demonstrated strong concordance and suggests there is potential for using tipping points for chemical prioritization. | 10.1016/j.taap.2018.01.017 |
pubmed_591_24723 | BACKGROUND
Daily pre-exposure prophylaxis and event-driven pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are efficacious in reducing HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM). We analyzed baseline data from a PrEP demonstration project "Be-PrEP-ared" in Antwerp, Belgium, to understand preferences for daily PrEP or event-driven PrEP among MSM at high risk of HIV and factors influencing their initial choice.
METHODS
Cross-sectional data from an open-label prospective cohort study, using mixed methods. Participants who preregistered online were screened for eligibility and tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Eligible participants chose between daily PrEP and event-driven PrEP and reported on behavioral data through an electronic questionnaire. In-depth interviews were conducted with a selected subsample. Bivariate associations were examined between preferred PrEP regimens and sociodemographic factors, sexual behavior, and STIs at screening.
RESULTS
In total, 200 participants were enrolled between October 2015 and December 2016. Self-reported levels of sexual risk-taking before enrollment were high. STI screening revealed that 39.5% had at least 1 bacterial STI. At baseline, 76.5% of participants preferred daily PrEP and 23.5% event-driven PrEP. Feeling able to anticipate HIV risk was the most frequent reason for preferring event-driven PrEP. Regimen choice was associated with sexual risk-taking behavior in the past 3 months. Almost all participants (95.7%) considered it likely that they would change their dosing regimen the following year.
CONCLUSION
Event-driven PrEP was preferred by 23.5% of the participants, which better suits their preventive needs. Event-driven PrEP should be included in PrEP provision as a valuable alternative to daily PrEP for MSM at high risk of HIV. | 10.1097/QAI.0000000000001791 |
pubmed_827_22661 | Metallothioneins (MTs) are nonenzymatic low molecular weight proteins, that play an important role in the homeostasis and detoxification of heavy metals in a large variety of organisms. These proteins are endowed with striking features, including an unusual amino acid composition characterized by the presence of 20 cysteines out of a total of 60 residues and absence of secondary structure elements. It is generally accepted that MTs underwent few modifications during evolution because of these structural and functional constraints. Such a conclusion is founded on the studies carried out mostly on MTs of mammalian origin. For such a reason, we have decided to compare the MTs of homeothermic and poikilothermic organisms, such as mammals and fish, with the specific aim to put in relation phylogenetic divergence and structural/functional adaptation to temperature. We have included in our analysis also Antarctic Notothenioids, a fish group characterized by genetic isolation and cold-adaptation to a particular harsh environment. We have determined the average hydropathic index of ancestral MT sequences and used them to infer the temperatures of the environment housing the hypothetical ancestor organisms. Finally, we have derived phylogenetic relationships of MT molecules from the pairwise comparison of their three-dimensional structures. | 10.1007/s00239-003-0034-z |
pubmed_354_2817 | Available evidence on the associations of dietary and circulating levels of long-chain n-3 fatty acids, which have potential antiarrhythmic properties, and other fatty acids with atrial fibrillation is conflicting and limited. We conducted a Mendelian randomization study to assess the associations between plasma phospholipid fatty acid levels and atrial fibrillation. Summary-level data of atrial fibrillation were available from 65,446 cases and 522,744 non-cases included in the Atrial Fibrillation Consortium. Sixteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with ten fatty acids at significance level of p < 5 × 10-8 were identified as instrumental variables from the hitherto largest genome-wide association studies for plasma fatty acids. The fixed-effects inverse-variance weighted method was used to assess the association of individual plasma fatty acids and atrial fibrillation risk. The random-effects inverse-variance weighted method, weighted median method, and Mendelian randomization (MR)-Egger method were employed as the sensitivity analyses. Genetic predisposition to higher levels of any of the ten individual fatty acids was not associated with atrial fibrillation risk. | 10.3390/nu11071651 |
pubmed_1094_14893 | Vitiligo is a chronic common skin disease. The asymptomatic hypopigmented cutaneous lesions are considered by many health care professionals as a cosmetic problem only; however, vitiligo can have a major psychosocial impact on patients' lives. We review some of the factors responsible for this impact, such as the general public's wrong perception of the disease, feelings and emotional responses from patients, how stressful events can act as triggers of the disease, stigmatization experiences suffered by the patients, the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity, the effects on relationships and sex life, how quality of life in adults and children is impaired, and how treatment can improve it. | 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2017.01.001 |
pubmed_1136_13795 | BACKGROUND/AIM
Symptom onset is a critical point in natural course of aortic stenosis and the most important indication for aortic valve replacement. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of natriuretic peptides level in the assessment of symtomatic status of patients with severe aortic stenosis and the preserved left ventricular systolic function.
METHODS
In 67 patients with isolated severe aortic stenosis symptomatic status, transthoracic echocardiography, and BNP and NT-proBNP plasma level were assesed. Natriuretic peptides levels were also measured in 36 healthy controls.
RESULTS
BNP and NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in the patients with aortic stenosis compared with the healthy controls. The symptomatic patients had a higher level of natriuretic peptides than the asymptomatic ones (BNP 118 [29-266] vs. 79 [44-90] pg/mL, p < 0.001; NT-proBNP 258 [67-520], vs. 79 [77-112] pmol/L, p < 0.0001). Natriuretic peptides levels increased with the severity of NYHA class. NT-proBNP level higher than 122 pmol/L was a cutoff value for detection of symptoms in the patients with severe aortic stenosis.
CONCLUSION
The levels of natriuretic peptides were significantly higher in the patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis, and increased with NYHA class. Measurement of natriuretic peptides levels could be important addition to clinical and echocardiographic assesment in determing optimal timing for valve replacement in aortic stenosis. | 10.2298/vsp1008622d |
pubmed_248_7228 | INTRODUCTION
Inflammation contributes to cardiovascular disease and is exacerbated with increased adiposity, particularly omental adiposity; however, the role of epicardial fat is poorly understood.
METHODS
For these studies the expression of inflammatory markers was assessed in epicardial fat biopsies from coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients using quantitative RT-PCR. Further, the effects of chronic medications, including statins, as well as peri-operative glucose, insulin and potassium infusion, on gene expression were also assessed. Circulating resistin, CRP, adiponectin and leptin levels were determined to assess inflammation.
RESULTS
The expression of adiponectin, resistin and other adipocytokine mRNAs were comparable to that in omental fat. Epicardial CD45 expression was significantly higher than control depots (p < 0.01) indicating significant infiltration of macrophages. Statin treated patients showed significantly lower epicardial expression of IL-6 mRNA, in comparison with the control abdominal depots (p < 0.001). The serum profile of CABG patients showed significantly higher levels of both CRP (control: 1.28 +/- 1.57 microg/mL vs CABG: 9.11 +/- 15.7 microg/mL; p < 0.001) and resistin (control: 10.53 +/- 0.81 ng/mL vs CABG: 16.8 +/- 1.69 ng/mL; p < 0.01) and significantly lower levels of adiponectin (control: 29.1 +/- 14.8 microg/mL vs CABG: 11.9 +/- 6.0 microg/mL; p < 0.05) when compared to BMI matched controls.
CONCLUSION
Epicardial and omental fat exhibit a broadly comparable pathogenic mRNA profile, this may arise in part from macrophage infiltration into the epicardial fat. This study highlights that chronic inflammation occurs locally as well as systemically potentially contributing further to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. | 10.1186/1475-2840-5-1 |
pubmed_378_17944 | We examined the trial-by-trial relationship between the metrics of saccadic eye movements and the activity of individual putative premotor neurons in the paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF) of rhesus monkeys. The region of the pons containing these excitatory burst neurons (EBNs) extends for several millimetres. Motoneurons innervating extraocular muscles integrate the output of hundreds or even thousands of these neurons. Accordingly, there was no reason to expect that relatively small variations in the activity of a single pontine neuron would be related to variations in saccade amplitude or speed observed during repetitive eye movements to the same target. Nonetheless, we observed consistent relationships between variations in the number of spikes in the burst of pontine neurons and the amplitude of the saccade. Trial-to-trial variations in the instantaneous spike frequency during a burst are associated with variations in the velocity profile of the movement. Based on these data, we conclude that the activity of pontine burst neurons is not statistically independent and that simultaneous recordings from multiple cells will reveal a high degree of correlated activity. | pubmed_378_17944 |
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